THERE will be no red carpet return to the Gold Coast midfield for Gary Ablett, with Suns coach Rodney Eade saying the champion will start as a forward against the Western Bulldogs next week.

Ablett is due to play his first JLT Community Series match against the Bulldogs on March 9, but Eade says the dual Brownlow medallist will have to earn his midfield spot.

Gold Coast is two-from-two in the pre-season competition, with a host of players – including new faces Pearce Hanley, Michael Barlow and draftee Will Brodie – already staking their midfield claims. 

Ablett is fit and ready to go after six months of rehabilitation following a second shoulder surgery.

He began contact work in the past month.

But Eade said with so much depth, there was no rush to get the former skipper into the middle of the ground.

"I reckon Gary will start in the forward line," Eade said on Monday.

"He hasn't played yet, our midfield is going well, so he will have to work his way into that to be honest.

"Not that he is captain any more, but even if he was, or has been great in that area, other players have had a lot more game time playing there, so I think he will start as a forward and ease his way in."

Gold Coast will also have to find midfield minutes against the Bulldogs for Adelaide recruit Jarryd Lyons, who has overcome an Achilles niggle and will play his first game.

Aaron Hall will also return after a rest.

Eade said playing the Bulldogs nearly at full strength would be a great test for his team. 

The Suns will also welcome back co-captain Tom Lynch, winger Matt Rosa, ruckman Jarrod Witts and draftee Jack Bowes, who all missed Sunday's win against Essendon but are considered in the club's best 22.