MALIGNED Hawthorn forward Tyrone Vickery could return to the senior side for the first time since round three, captain Jarryd Roughead says, after a wave of injuries struck the Hawks.

Superstar Cyril Rioli faces up to three months on the sidelines after hurting the PCL in his left knee against the Brisbane Lions last Saturday, while bone bruising in Ben Stratton's knee will likely keep him out until at least the round 13 bye.

Fellow defender James Frawley has turf toe and will be sidelined for a couple of months, if not more.

Roughead said at Waverley on Tuesday that young gun Tim O'Brien was keeping Vickery out of the team, but that the former Tiger could return after a three-week stint in the VFL.

"(Vickery) doesn't have to do anything. You look at what he's done (at) Box Hill, he's gone back and really contributed well. He's the leading goalkicker at Box Hill at the moment, so he's gone back with a great attitude," Roughead said.

"With Timmy coming in and playing that well, it's kept Ty out, but who knows with what happens this week. O'Brien could go back and Vickery could come in."

Vickery, 26, missed a couple of games this season with back tightness, and has booted 11 goals in the VFL this season.

Fellow tall Jack Fitzpatrick is no certainty to face Collingwood on Saturday night at the MCG after being concussed in the final minutes against the Lions.

Midfielder Jaeger O'Meara is also unavailable as he deals with a right knee complaint, while backman Grant Birchall is dealing with his own right knee injury.

With Box Hill undefeated at 5-0 and sitting second behind Port Melbourne on percentage, Roughead said the absence of key players didn't have to derail a Hawks season starting to gain momentum after two straight wins.

"You can look at it and say it could be flattening for the group, or you can look at it how we have, and it's just exciting knowing that we have got these blokes banging down the door wanting to play senior footy," he said.

The 2013 Coleman medallist nominated Kaiden Brand and Kurt Heatherley as two who could help bolster the defence.