Sydney aren't ready to write off Sam Reid's injury-plagued AFL season yet.
Reid, who would offer Lance Franklin valuable support in the Swans' inexperienced forward line, hasn't played AFL since April 7 because of quad and achilles injuries.
Reid underwent surgery after tweaking his quad in round three then battled back to full fitness, only to suffer a fresh achilles setback in the NEAFL that required more surgery in July.
The 26-year-old has started training and is now racing the clock as he bids to take part in the Swans' push for a premiership.
It's a similar scenario to what unfolded in 2016, when Reid was close to returning from achilles surgery in the AFL grand final but ultimately ran out of time.
Sydney are understandably taking a conservative approach with Reid, who has only managed 121 games since the 2009 draft because of a series of injuries, but are optimistic he'll be back playing soon.
"He is (a chance of returning this season)," Swans football manager Tom Harley told radio station SEN.
"He will train again this week and with a bit of luck he might be able to get some match practice in the reserves, our reserves have qualified for the finals as well.
"There's an option for him, we would love him back as soon as possible to provide some support for Lance.
"But he's got to get through a few hurdles this week."
The Swans' finals hopes were hanging by a thread last month during a flat patch that was compounded by injuries to Jarrad McVeigh, Dan Hannebery and Kieren Jack.
The three veterans are now all fit and firing while John Longmire's team have bounced back in style, recording impressive wins over finals-bound sides Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS.
The Swans, who secured their spot in the finals with an upset 20-point victory in the Sydney derby, will finish in the top four if they defeat Hawthorn at the SCG on Saturday night.
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