Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is well in the frame to make his AFL return against Adelaide this weekend.
However, coach John Longmire won't make a call on the veteran's fitness until Thursday.
McVeigh is yet to play this campaign after hamstring tightness delayed his comeback from off-season knee surgery and Longmire is keen for the 31-year-old to prove himself in training before travelling to face the Crows at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
"He's certainly very close," he said on Tuesday.
"He's got to train today and train Thursday and we'll make our decision when all the facts are in front of us.
"He's obviously been training well for us. He's well in the frame and he's an experienced player."
McVeigh was seemingly close to a return for last weekend's derby win over Greater Western Sydney at the SCG.
Longmire previously said he was delaying a conversation with the 2012 premiership-winning co-captain about the possibility of sending him for game time in reserves first.
But the coach hinted McVeigh may not be featuring in the NEAFL anytime soon and said the stalwart himself would have a lot of say on whether he plays on Saturday.
"He considers himself as a pass to come into the senior team," Longmire said.
"I take a lot of faith in what he says - he's played a lot of football, he's co-captain of the club and he understands the importance of the call he makes.
"Whether he's right or not, a lot of responsibility goes with him because we have a lot of faith in what he's able to deliver week in week out and how he knows his body."
The Swans are leading the ladder with three wins from three rounds, with Luke Parker in dominant form and Lance Franklin heating up.
Though they're yet to really be challenged this season, Longmire expects a difficult outing against the Crows, who have impressive wins against Richmond and Port Adelaide.
"We get a big test this week going to Adelaide," Longmire said.
"They're obviously in red-hot form as well so we can't wait."
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