GEELONG's Harry Taylor has made significant progress in his recovery from his foot injury, with the veteran defender back running.

Taylor has been sidelined since round one after he injured the plantar fascia in his left foot in the Cats' three-point win over the Demons.

The 31-year-old had been using a mobility scooter at training, but Cats physio Mark Young said Taylor had turned the corner in his rehabilitation. 

MATCH PREVIEW: Geelong v Sydney

"He had a partial tear to the plantar fascia in his foot," Young told the club's website.

"It took a few weeks to settle but he's now back into running and hopefully it's not too long before he returns to football." 

Geelong has fielded a makeshift backline in the absence of both Taylor and Lachie Henderson, who recently underwent more surgery on his troublesome knee, with Mark Blicavs, Tom Stewart and youngster Jack Henry all deployed in key roles. 

Key forward Tom Hawkins will undergo a fitness test ahead of Saturday's match against Sydney at GMHBA Stadium, after he was a late withdrawal against Port Adelaide last Saturday night. 

"Unfortunately Tom had to come out at the last minute with some back spasms," Young said. 

"He's feeling better, he'll train fully later in the week and he'll be a test this weekend." 

Midfielder Scott Selwood will also be tested after he was concussed by a Lindsay Thomas bump that earned the Port Adelaide forward a three-week ban from the AFL Tribunal.

Small forward Cory Gregson will be available to play after suffering a mid-foot sprain against St Kilda a fortnight ago. Gregson missed one week with the injury.

"Cory had a bit of a scare last week. His foot is feeling really good now and he's had two strong (training) sessions," Young said.

"He'll play football this weekend."

Superstar midfielder Gary Ablett is a chance to face the Swans after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury, although the Cats are expected to be cautious given his injury history. 

Cameron Guthrie (ankle) and Nakia Cockatoo (knee) are expected to still be sidelined for up to six weeks.