HAWTHORN won't rush the returns of Cyril Rioli and Grant Birchall just because the home and away season is fast approaching, Hawks skipper Jarryd Roughead says.

Rioli has not played since round eight last season after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament, while he had a disrupted pre-season, spending extended time in the Northern Territory with his family after his father suffered a heart attack late last year.

Late last month, the Hawks ruled Birchall out of round one because of on-going knee problems, but football manager Graham Wright said he expected the defender to return early in the season.

Season preview: Hawthorn

Rioli's strong training form over recent weeks has prompted speculation the 28-year-old could step straight back into Hawthorn's team for its season opener against Collingwood next Saturday night.

But Roughead called for some perspective at Captains Day on Thursday.

"I love how you guys think it's all about round one. Obviously you would love him out there, but if Cyril gets there for round one and injures himself then we'd be pulling our hair out," Roughead said.

"If he's not right until round three, four or five and we get him for the next 20 (rounds), then I know what I'd be wanting and I know what the rest of the Hawthorn family would want as well.

"You look at how he's come back (from his time in the Northern Territory) and we're all pretty happy with that.

"But, again, he's still got a fair bit to do to get himself right and (back) amongst the rest of the group (so he can) understand how we're going to go about things."

Birchall played just five games last season because of jaw and PCL injuries. The 30-year-old remains a key member of the Hawks' defence, with Roughead nominating him as someone who could help replace Luke Hodge's leadership in the backline in 2018.

However, the Hawks skipper said the club would also err on the side of caution with Birchall.

"He's missed a bit of footy and you want to make sure that you get him back – he's obviously pretty important to us," Roughead said.

"They'll build him up, our fitness staff have been pretty good at getting blokes back.

"He is one that we need."