HAWTHORN defender Brian Lake will have to prove his fitness at training on Thursday to be in contention for a recall for Saturday night's Grand Final rematch against the Sydney Swans.
Match preview: Hawks v Swans
But the Hawks have ruled a line through another key backman for the rest of the season, with Kaiden Brand to be sent for another shoulder reconstruction.
Lake is on the comeback trail from a medial ligament injury he sustained during the Anzac Day loss to Port Adelaide.
The 33-year-old has completed the scheduled four weeks' recovery and would be a handy inclusion against the Swans' tall forwards Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett.
However, Lake is not guaranteed a recall, according to the Hawks' football manager Chris Fagan.
"He trained this morning and we need to see how he goes again on Thursday. That will decide whether he's available to play or not," Fagan told the club's website.
"Then we have to make the decision whether that's at AFL or VFL level."
Hawthorn has required Lake to build his way back from injury by playing for VFL affiliate Box Hill in recent seasons, although the temptation will be strong to hurry him back to face the Swans.
Premiership backman Matt Spangher (hamstring) is still two weeks away, while free agency recruit James Frawley only returned from a torn pectoral in last Saturday's 105-point belting of his former club Melbourne.
"James pulled up well. He made a solid contribution against his old team. He got booed there at one stage in front of the members stand, but that was to be expected," Fagan said.
"We were really satisfied with his performance and he'll step it up again this week, obviously with the quality of the forwards at the Swans he'll need to."
Isaac Smith (gastro) should return for the Grand Final rematch alongside vice-captain Jordan Lewis, who has completed his two-game striking suspension.
Skipper Luke Hodge still has one match to serve on his three-match striking ban, while Fagan confirmed Ben McEvoy won't play this weekend.
The ruckman hurt his hamstring during a light training run last Friday, although the injury is at the lower end of the scale.
"It's not really a serious hamstring but it will be enough to keep him out of this weekend's game I would have thought," Fagan said.
In disappointing news for the Hawks, 21-year-old backman Kaiden Brand is set for more shoulder surgery.
"He's in the wars. He hurt his shoulder in that NAB game (against Collingwood) in the first few minutes and had to have a shoulder reconstruction, and his other shoulder has actually been a problem too over the last few years," Fagan said.
"We've decided to take the opportunity to get the other shoulder reconstructed as well.
"Then we'll spend the rest of the year getting him strong again and he can re-launch into next season."
Meanwhile, former rookie Zac Webster is on the comeback trail from a hamstring issue.
"Zac's been battling away with his hamstrings a little bit for the past few weeks," Fagan said.
"He's a couple of weeks away, running well. He's a bit like 'Spang' - he will be re-introduced to skills work last this week."
