Fremantle veteran Michael Walters says Harley Bennell is looking "first class" at training but the prized AFL recruit may have to wait at least one more week before making his playing return.
And ruckman Aaron Sandilands will undergo surgery on his injured right hamstring after scans confirmed he had suffered tendon damage.
Bennell has been training with the main group for several weeks now and has reportedly starred during match simulation exercises.
The 24-year-old has been plagued by calf issues since arriving at the Dockers at the end of 2015.
Bennell feels he is ready to play now but the club is taking a conservative approach with him given his long history of soft tissue injuries.
The skilful midfielder is a slim chance to return via the WAFL this week but it's more likely he will be held back until Peel Thunder's clash with East Perth on July 15.
Walters said he and his Dockers teammates are looking forward to seeing Bennell back out on the field.
"He's looking lean, strong, and his skill work with the ball is first class," Walters said.
"He's been out for quite a while now and he's doing nothing but put his head down, bum up and worked his butt off to get himself in a position where he can get back and play."
Sandilands had already been ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring his hamstring during last week's loss to St Kilda.
Scans showed the four-times All-Australian Sandilands had damaged his tendon and he'll undergo a rehabilitation period of between eight to 10 weeks after having surgery.
The 34-year-old underwent a similar procedure on his left leg in 2013 and he's expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training.
The absence of Sandilands means Sean Darcy will be forced to shoulder the ruck burden for the rest of the season.
The 19-year-old has starred in his first two AFL games and Walters has been impressed by the form of the 201cm, 111kg ruckman, who has trimmed down a bit since arriving at Fremantle.
"He is a cult hero, especially around the boys at the club," Walters said.
"When he first rocked up I thought, 'Who is this giant teddy bear?'
"But he's a real physical player. His follow-up work is quite exceptional for a guy his size."
Forward Cameron McCarthy has been ruled out of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium after he accepted a two-match ban for his dangerous tackle on St Kilda's Sam Gilbert.
Walters enters the game in the form of his life after booting six goals from 32 disposals against the Saints last Sunday.
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