Sydney is set to welcome back captain Callum Mills and key forward Hayden McLean for Sunday's clash against Melbourne.
The Swans are forced into three changes due to bumps by Justin McInerney and Joel Amartey going wrong, resulting in the MRO handing down suspensions, as well as the concussion Aaron Francis suffered.
Mills has toiled away on the sidelines after being plagued with a plantar fasciitis injury, but played just over a half in the VFL last weekend. He collected 19 disposals, three tackles and a goal.
"He's got one more session, and if he gets through the session, he's playing," Cox said.
"He played extremely well in the restricted minutes last week. He ticked that off, got through yesterday (training), he gets through tomorrow, and he lines up for us, which is great.
"We've got to understand that Callum hasn't played a lot of AFL footy in the last two years, the expectation is for him to come and contribute to the football team, not to be the best player on the ground."
Mills' expected return is dimmed by the suspensions to McInerney (one match) and Amartey (three matches), as well as the concussion to Francis.
Key forward Hayden McLean is the likeliest to come into the forward line. Veteran Taylor Adams spent another week in the VFL and is prepared for a recall.
Cox lamented the ill-discipline shown by the suspended duo, whilst also noting the lack of correct technique contributed to the outcome.
"They're remorseful. I addressed the players yesterday about the balance we need to find. They were made aware that we don't want to do that as a football club," Cox said.
"The technique, they need to train that. Try and tackle. That's the first thing we always say.
"It's not ideal, but we've got to get onto it. We've got to learn from why they're not playing."
Key defender Lewis Melican is also serving a three-game suspension for his errant swinging arm in the Derby on GWS' Toby Bedford.
McInerney was previously suspended for three matches in Round 1, after electing to bump Brisbane's Brandon Starcevich, who has yet to return to the field.
Cox alluded to run-with player James Jordon spending time on milestone man Christian Petracca.
