Richmond defender Bachar Houli looks set to be closing in on a return from injury.
Having only played nine games this season, the premiership Tiger is looking to make a return as soon as possible, which could be as early as next week.
โBacharโs at the stage now where heโs resuming training with the group. Weโre aiming for him to play against GWS next week," Richmond's Physical Performance Manager, Peter Burge told richmondfc.com.au.
"Heโs similar to Dion Prestia in the sense that could we have pushed a little harder for this week... but we want to make sure these guys, who havenโt had their best pre-seasons, are set up well for the rest of the year and then beyond that."
The Tigers currently sit comfortably atop the ladder and therefor can afford to take such precautions with their stars.
"So weโre going to take another week with Bachar and make sure he can do everything that he needs to do," Burge added.
"Everything at absolutely 100 percent by the end of this week, get a full week of training next week, and hopefully heโs available for selection for GWS."
After Reece Conca dislocated his ankle on Thursday night against Sydney in a gruesome incident, the Tigers midfielder is recovering well from the injury, and doesn't require surgery.
The Tigers are hopeful that Conca could return before the end of the home and away season, which would be a remarkable recovery from what looked like a serious injury.
โHeโs in a (moon) boot for two weeks... Weโre pretty much treating it like a sprained ankle rehab," Burge added.
There's no timeline for his return, but they'll be trying to get him back on the field as soon as possible.
"Really, itโs just about getting functionally moving once he is out of that boot and how long it takes for us to get him jogging, running, striding and changing direction," Burge said.
"Timeline-wise, itโs very hard to say, but weโre fairly optimistic it will be before the end of the season, hopefully sooner."
It's a devastating injury which made everyone cringe, but Burge says Conca is handling it well.
"Reece is super positive and heโs in good spirits. Itโs a good situation out of something that could have been really, really bad,โ Burge added.
