GEELONG could bring back up to four of its prime movers for Saturday's clash against Melbourne at Simonds Stadium, with Daniel Menzel, Jimmy Bartel, Josh Caddy and Nakia Cockatoo all expected to be available for selection.

Menzel, Caddy and Cockatoo were all sidelined because of injury for Sunday's game against the Brisbane Lions, while Bartel was "managed" as the Cats try to best prepare a number of their older players for the finals.

Menzel, Caddy and Cockatoo's availability will be based on how they train this week with the final call to be made after Thursday's main training session, according to Geelong football manager Steve Hocking.

"It'll just depend on their training load and we'll make a decision later in the week regarding that," Hocking told AFL.com.au.

"It's hard to separate those three but they are all really close."

Menzel has missed the past two matches with a groin niggle he suffered against Essendon in round 20. The dangerous forward has been managing soreness but ran at training last Friday and seems a good chance to return.

Caddy was withdrawn from the Cats' squad last Friday after pulling up tight in the calf during the club's final main training session earlier that morning before the trip to Brisbane.

"He started to warm up as far as training goes and he just felt some soreness in his calf," Hocking said.

"In the end, they just kept him out for that very reason."

Bartel was "managed" for Sunday's game against the Brisbane Lions but all indicators point to him returning for the duel against Melbourne.

The veteran was also rested for the Cats' round 17 game against Fremantle as part of what coach Chris Scott labelled "prudent management".

Cockatoo's ability to pressure the opposition and create chances up forward will also put him in the frame for an immediate return

After returning from a knee injury in round 16, Cockatoo played five consecutive games before being ruled out of the round 21 clash with Richmond with knee soreness. The same problem also forced Cockatoo out of the clash against the Lions.

Adding further intrigue to selection is that veteran Tom Lonergan's wife Kim is due to give birth to their first child on the same day as the clash against Melbourne, meaning he may be absent.

Hocking said Wednesday's match committee would be fiercely debated.

"We've just got to pick our team to beat Melbourne," he said.

"Apart from a handful that are certainties there's quite a few positions up for grabs, I would've thought."