GOLD Coast midfielder Pearce Hanley is an "outside chance" to play this week after returning from compassionate leave in Ireland.
Hanley has missed the past two matches after making his debut for the Suns.
The former Brisbane Lion returned to Ireland shortly after that match because of the deteriorating health of his terminally ill younger brother Tommy, who has since passed away.
Hanley has returned to training and football manager Marcus Ashcroft said he was a chance to play either at AFL or NEAFL level.
The Suns face Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
"It has been a tough month for Pearce, he went back home obviously for a couple of weeks and returned to Australia yesterday," Ashcroft told the club's website.
"He started training and we’ll assess him throughout the week to make sure we do the right thing by him, to ensure he is physically ready to play.
"But he is an outside chance to play some form of footy this weekend."
