HAWTHORN'S prized recruit James Frawley will be sidelined for at least a month after he suffered a low-grade right pectoral tear against Essendon.
The Hawks have confirmed the 193cm big man will be missing for about 4-6 weeks, but he has avoided surgery.
Going under the knife would have kept him out for at least 10 weeks, respected sports medico Dr Peter Larkins told AFL.com.au on Monday.
The worst was feared given the ex-Demon suffered a torn left pectoral before the 2011 season, but Hawthorn's general manager of football operations Chris Fagan said the club was pleased with the outcome.
"James has been to see the specialist following on from scans yesterday and the good news is he doesn't require any surgery whatsoever," Fagan told the club's website.
"He has a low-grade tear of his pectoral muscle and that will probably take somewhere in the vicinity of four-to-six weeks to heal up, we'll just have to wait and see on that.
"Hopefully it's four, not six, but we'll just have to wait and see."
In just his second game for the Hawks, Frawley sustained the injury when he tackled Ben Howlett during the first quarter of Sunday's two-point loss to the Dons.
He immediately ran from the field protecting his right arm and was substituted out of the match soon after.
Despite the setback, the Hawks have ample defensive cover ready to step in to face the Western Bulldogs in Launceston on Sunday.
Josh Gibson could be a straight swap for Frawley, with Fagan confirming both the defender and star midfielder Sam Mitchell (corked calf) were expected to be available.
Gibson (soreness) and Mitchell were late withdrawals from the Hawks' loss to the Bombers.
"We just didn't want to take any risks with those guys and hopefully that conservative approach will pay off for this weekend," Fagan said.
Premiership backman Matt Spangher is also waiting in the wings after he returned from a calf niggle and played four quarters in Box Hill's VFL practice match last weekend.
Angus Litherland and Ryan Schoenmakers could also be in contention if defensive reinforcement is required.
Meanwhile, the Hawks are closely monitoring speedster Bradley Hill's fitness.
The wingman's head smashed into the MCG turf in a tackle during the frantic final seconds of Sunday's defeat.
"He was a bit hazy after the game but I think it's cleared up reasonably well over the last couple of days," Fagan said.
"Unless there's any setbacks over the next few days he should be OK for selection.
Second-year speed machine Billy Hartung shapes as a possible back-up for Hill after a strong display for Box Hill in a VFL practice match on Saturday.
The on-baller was part of an impressive midfield brigade, led by Jonathan Simpkin and Alex Woodward.
Dual-premiership ruckman David Hale also performed well in the practice match, before he and Simpkin were taken out of the contest at half-time.
Brendan Whitecross also took another step forward in his comeback from a second knee reconstruction by playing the full four quarters against Williamstown.
The 25-year-old has not appeared for Hawthorn since injuring his knee in the 2013 preliminary final win over Geelong.
