Sydney captain Callum Mills will make his return to the field on Friday via the Swans' VFL outing against Carlton at the SCG.

Mills is yet to feature this year due to a foot issue that has plagued his 2025 campaign, with the pre-season setback coming after an injury-hit season last year for the Swans skipper.

The Sydney product played just seven games in 2024, with a shoulder injury in the prior off-season delaying his first game until Round 18.

Mills played in the Swans' qualifying final victory over GWS before suffering a hamstring injury that would see him ruled out of last year's grand final against Brisbane.

A pre-season plantar fascia concern put a line through Mills' chances of featuring in Opening Round, with further complications pushing his return back to near the mid-year.

December 03: Callum Mills of the Swans runs during a Sydney Swans training Session at Bat and Ball Oval. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
December 03: Callum Mills of the Swans runs during a Sydney Swans training Session at Bat and Ball Oval. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Mills will get his first look at minutes in 2025 on Friday when Sydney's reserves host the Blues' VFL side at SCG ahead of the two clubs' senior sides clashing the same venue that evening.

The Swans captain comes into the state league side alongside Ben Paton and Hayden McLean, who have both been dropped from Dean Cox's squad, with ex-Bulldog Lachie Hunter also among the ins for Sydney.

Meanwhile, Carlton will have utility Alex Cincotta in for his first game of the year when the two clubs face off in the VFL.

Cincotta was sidelined early in the pre-season with a hip issue that required surgery, immediately ruling out his Round 1 prospects.

The mature-aged recruit has worked through an extensive rehabilitation program to make himself available, with the Blues selecting Cincotta in the VFL to take on the Swans.

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Alex Cincotta of the Blues looks to pass the ball during the round eight AFL match between Carlton Blues and Brisbane Lions at Marvel Stadium, on May 05, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Cincotta comes into Luke Power's side as ruckman Marc Pittonet and defender Jordan Boyd both earn a promotion to the AFL team for Round 10.

Cincotta's return places him in the frame for senior selection in the coming weeks, however the Blues are scheduled for their mid-season bye following next week's clash with GWS.

The break could mean Cincotta is eased through the VFL before being made available in Round 13 when Carlton clash with Essendon.

Sydney's bye doesn't come until Round 14, giving Mills a chance to feature prior to the break when the Swans face Melbourne. Adelaide and Richmond.