INJURED Hawthorn tall forward Ryan Schoenmakers is targeting a round 23 return in his last-minute bid to have an impact on the Hawks' premiership campaign.

Schoenmakers hasn't appeared at AFL level since round three due to what coach Alastair Clarkson termed a "grumbly" groin.

But the 25-year-old is aiming to play limited minutes in a VFL comeback against Sandringham this Sunday, with the hope of being available against Collingwood in the last home-and-away round.

"I've definitely got playing finals in mind, for sure. That's the focus," Schoenmakers told K-Rockradio station.

"The next month is going to be pretty crucial and it's going to have to happen pretty quickly, and everything's going to have to go right, but it's definitely not off the table."

Schoenmakers hasn't played football at any level since his last comeback attempt was aborted after one match in the VFL in May.

But the premiership forward has built up his training loads "pretty rapidly" recently and was running strongly last week.

Although Box Hill is struggling to qualify for finals, Schoenmakers could still have at least three VFL games left to regain his spot in a Hawthorn forward line also missing star Jarryd Roughead as he undergoes cancer treatment.

While Hawthorn's grip on top spot slipped after a shock loss to Melbourne on Saturday – and stars Sam Mitchell and Cyril Rioli could come under Match Review Panel scrutiny – there could be more relief coming on the injury front.

Tough midielder Liam Shiels (hamstring), small forward Paul Puopolo (hip) and key defender James Frawley (shoulder) could be in the frame to return for a crucial clash with North Melbourne at the MCG.

Daniel Howe (calf) made a promising VFL return on Sunday, while premiership backman Matt Spangher is on the verge of coming back after a lengthy lay-off due to a hamstring tendon injury suffered in round 10.

Meanwhile, the likes of defender Angus Litherland, yet-to-debut utility Dallas Willsmore, wingman Billy Hartung and luckless Alex Woodward are waiting in the wings at Box Hill.

However, Teia Miles' hopes of a senior debut this season could be dashed, with the versatile defender believed to have suffered a broken collarbone in the VFL on Sunday.

Miles, who recently signed a two-year contract extension to remain with the Hawks until at least the end of 2018, had been an AFL emergency several times this season.