FREMANTLE skipper Nat Fyfe is raring to go against Geelong and coach Ross Lyon also expects star forward Michael Walters to face the Cats after his hamstring scare. 

But the Dockers have lost defender Luke Ryan for the rest of the season after he became the latest in a lengthy list of Freo players to succumb to a hamstring issue.

Fyfe has been sidelined for the past six matches by his hamstring, but returns for a potential showdown with fellow Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield at the Cattery.

BANFIELD EXTENSION Freo rookie signs for two more

"Hopefully he finds some form quick. It's pleasing to have our captain back," Lyon said.

Walters will be on the plane and Lyon denied the club's leading goalkicker would undergo a late fitness test before Saturday's clash.

Lyon ruled Walters out for the season immediately after Freo's 29-point win over Carlton last round, but scans revealed he didn't tear his hamstring.

The Dockers are still weighing up team selection, but tagger Bailey Banfield is also in the mix for a run-with role on one of Geelong's gun midfielders.

Banfield missed the first game of his rookie season last round after being left out for team balance.

"We've got a couple of decisions to make," Lyon said.

"We've got to try to find a backman for Luke Ryan, so does that come from outside or inside the team, reposition Tommy Sheridan or something like that?"

Lyon is under no illusions about the challenge in Geelong, despite his charges pushing the Cats to the last kick of the game last year.

The rebuilding Dockers have a dismal 1-7 record on the road this season, with an average losing margin of almost 52 points.

They will face a desperate Geelong outfit, which has dropped out of the top eight but remains a serious finals contender. 

"I'd love (last year in Geelong) to count but unfortunately it doesn't, and we've got to reset ourselves," Lyon said.

"We felt we improved our ball use last week.

"They'll be pretty sharp. They're really well coached by Chris Scott, they've got a really experienced midfield, and they've been heavily criticised this week, I think, for a little bit of inconsistency.

"Those little barbs and all that, I think the focus (for them is) they can taste their goal and finals to steel their mindset.

"Because it is a long year, but as it gets closer you can sharpen your radar and get a finer focus."