COLIN Sylvia could still play a significant role in Fremantle's season despite a chequered start to his career at the Dockers, according to coach Ross Lyon.
And the former Demon's debut for his new club could come in the next fortnight after he made a successful return to the WAFL after suspension.
The 28-year-old crossed over from Melbourne as a free agent at the end of last season but struggled with form and injury during the pre-season.
Just as he was on the cusp of making his much-anticipated debut, he was handed a two-week suspension by the WAFL Tribunal for an off-the ball strike.
Sylvia served his ban and returned to the WAFL at the weekend for Peel Thunder to gather 19 disposals and four inside 50s.
Lyon said on Monday night that Sylvia's debut for his new club was imminent.
"He's had some interruptions and the suspension didn't help but he played on the weekend," Lyon told Channel Seven's Talking Footy on Monday night.
"The two-week suspension allowed us to punch in some significant kilometres into him to bring his fitness up a little bit.
"We're really looking for him to make a move in the next two to three weeks and really give us some impetus in relation to the rest of the season."
Fremantle has four wins after a challenging first seven rounds in which it has faced four top eight sides from last season.
The Dockers face Port Adelaide and Geelong in the coming weeks before the bye, with Lyon hopeful the side can build some form coming into the second half of the season.
"When we look at our first nine weeks ... we would have played all the finalists of last year with four six-day breaks and travel, so it's been a big challenge for us," he said.
"But if we keep our head above water we just know that we can build some real momentum from there and we want Colin to be a big part of it."
