FREMANTLE defender Michael Johnson is set to return against Gold Coast provided he gets through training on Thursday, coach Ross Lyon says. 

Johnson missed last week's loss to the Western Bulldogs with calf soreness, but he should line up against the Suns at Domain Stadium on Saturday night. 

Ruckman Aaron Sandilands will also play after serving his one-match suspension from the NAB Challenge. 

Big Docker won't change ruck approach

Lyon said the absence of the two veterans did not excuse the Dockers' performance last week.

"You've got to be able to perform without, theoretically, your best 22," Lyon said on Thursday.

"We're rapt it's a short week. We were incredibly disappointed with our first round performance, but we've acknowledged that.

"We've done our review.

“We've identified some things that put us under pressure. We feel like we can fix them and turn them around pretty quickly. We play another formidable opponent in the Gold Coast."

Lyon said Zac Clarke had been ruled out of the Gold Coast match after copping a knock to his knee at the opening bounce against the Bulldogs. 

"He'll probably miss a couple of weeks," Lyon said.

"It was the first centre bounce of the game, he competed fiercely, knees hit and he stirred up his previous injury.

"He's pretty sore. I thought it was courageous of him to fight on. He played under adversity and he won't play this week."

Lyon said Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe had pulled up fine after suffering a corked thigh in last week's loss. 

"He just had a cork halfway through," Lyon said.

"He's pretty vibrant."

Fyfe trained on Thursday with padding under his shorts to protect the cork, but he was moving without any problems.

Lyon said he had focussed on his own team this week and had not had a close look at Gold Coast.

He said he was unlikely to tag Gary Ablett as he said the whole midfield would be accountable for him.

"We haven't tagged for a while," Lyon said.

"We sort of have people accountable for them. It's been proven in numerous other teams and numerous games that it's not about one player.

"It's about all players contributing. I'm sure Gary will play well, but we hope as a collective we play well enough to beat him and the Gold Coast Suns."

Lyon said he would be disappointed if his side did not respond strongly after last week's loss to the Bulldogs.

Even Nat Fyfe found the Dockers' effort a bit on the nose last week. Picture: AFL Media