BRETT Deledio is unlikely to play in next week's JLT Community Series clash with Sydney after missing Greater Western Sydney's intraclub hit-out at training on Friday.
The majority of the Giants' squad took part in four quarters of match simulation at Tom Wills Oval, but Deledio sat out as he continues to battle a calf problem.
He now seems certain to be overlooked for next Friday's pre-season derby at Blacktown, and is no certainty to play North Melbourne in the club's final hit-out in Canberra on March 10.
GWS assistant coach Lenny Hayes said given Deledio's past calf and Achilles issues, the match committee wouldn't rush him back for the pre-season competition, meaning the 29-year-old must be some chance of missing the Giants' round one clash against the Crows in Adelaide on March 26.
Deledio missed the last six rounds of 2016 with a calf injury and has managed persistent Achilles problems throughout the past three years.
"I think with the older players who've got the miles in the legs you can do that (be cautious) a little bit. He's obviously got a bit of history but we don't think it's too serious," he said.
"We can't fault the way he's gone about it. He's shown some great leadership, he's been a little bit frustrated but we still think he'll get some game time in before round one.
"It's been a balance between him doing some stuff inside, then getting out on the track and doing some kicking and running as well, so he'll gradually build up (his training).
"He's had a couple of minor setbacks but nothing that should hold him back too much, he's going to be an important player for us so we have to get him right."
While one veteran is struggling to shake off his injury worries, it was better news for Steve Johnson and Shane Mumford, who both got through Friday's spirited session.
Johnson had surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his thumb in November but has done plenty of fitness work, and while he had the area strapped the three-time premiership Cat wasn't hampered, playing most of the match through the midfield and forward.
The 2007 Norm Smith medallist found plenty of the footy up the ground and while his trademark skills went missing at times, he covered plenty of territory, which would have pleased coach Leon Cameron.
Mumford had an operation to clean up his elbow in late January, but was at his physical best in the ruck against Dawson Simpson and youngster Matt Flynn.
The big man applied several trademark tackles at ground level and even spent some time inside forward 50.
Hayes confirmed both Mumford and Johnson were in contention to face the Swans next week.
"They've had pretty good build-ups, the two of them," Hayes said.
"They're both older players who have had some injury concerns over the summer, but they're progressing well.
"We'll have a good look at them to see if they'll get up for JLT2 or 3, but they're tracking along nicely."
GWS co-captains Callan Ward and Phil Davis, along with Stephen Coniglio, Toby Greene, Tom Scully, Jeremy Cameron and Dylan Shiel were among the big names to take part in the scratch match on Friday after being rested last week.
Zac Williams was an onlooker after he tweaked his adductor against West Coast, but he ran laps alongside youngster Matt Kennedy, and both should be fit to play the Swans.
Jacob Hopper was also confined to a running program as he manages some back soreness. The second-year midfielder still remains a chance to see some action in the JLT Community Series.
Hopper revealed earlier this month he had undergone off-season heart surgery to correct supraventricular tachycardia, which caused his heart rate to shoot as high as 240 beats per minute.
The 20-year-old told News Corp he had suffered three episodes before Christmas, prompting the operation in which surgeons shocked his heart repeatedly to find the problem area, before correcting the issue.
