EXCITING young Geelong forward Nakia Cockatoo has joined full training and could make a return via the VFL against Williamstown on Sunday.
After injuring his lateral ligament against West Coast at Simonds Stadium in round seven, Cockatoo had surgery on his right knee.
Cats physio Mark Young said the club would consider their options with Cockatoo as they have a bye after this week and he has been listed as a test ahead of this round.
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"Nakia is making great strides. He's joined the group. He's in full training now and we will just consider our options this week and next with how we progress his rehab," Young told the Cats' website.
Geelong always errs on the side of caution when it comes to players returning from injury and will take no risks with the 19-year-old.
If Cockatoo does not play this week, he would have to wait a fortnight before returning as the Cats also have a bye in the VFL.
The livewire forward has had an interrupted start to the season, missing round one through suspension.
He then played five games as a wing/half-forward, kicking six goals and showing some of his trademark explosiveness and power.
The Cats are also looking to get luckless defender Cam Delaney back into the VFL within the next month as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Delaney, who was added to the Cats' rookie list at the start of 2015, has not played a senior game with the club since switching from North Melbourne.
He played six games in his four years at North Melbourne.
Young said Delaney had joined the main training group.
"He has had a long time in rehab [and] made some good improvements in the last month [with the] strength and control of his knee," Young said.
"[We're] hoping to string a few weeks together and then consider some game time."
The Cats will have to replace Josh Caddy this week after he injured his medial ligament in a collision with Bulldogs midfielder Jack Macrae.
Young said he feared the injury could be worse when he saw the footage and was relieved Caddy was a chance to play later in the season.
Cam Guthrie is likely to face the Saints after illness ruled him out of the match against the Bulldogs.
