HAWTHORN could be boosted by the returns of stars Jordan Lewis and Grant Birchall for Sunday's important clash with St Kilda, defender James Frawley says.

The Hawks (5-4) are yet to string together back-to-back wins this season, but coming off a 53-point belting of Gold Coast the reigning premiers are steeling themselves for the Saints clash and hope to welcome back their reliable veterans.

Lewis was a late withdrawal before the Suns win with a bruised shoulder, while Birchall (jarred ankle) didn't get up after being rated a 50-50 chance early last week.

"I think he was touch and go for (last) week, so if he gets through training this week he should be in line for another game … hopefully he's fit," Frawley said.

"I think (Lewis) just had a bit of a bruised shoulder at training. I'm not sure what happenedt, but he's the same - if he gets through training this week he should be fit and ready to go.

Small forward Paul Puopolo will be assessed this week after he injured his lower leg late in the win over the Suns.

Although the Hawks have won four in a row against St Kilda – including a 145-point belting last season at the MCG - Frawley said the reigning premiers were wary of last year's wooden spooners.

The Saints (3-6) have matured into a more competitive outfit this season, with less reliance on superstar Nick Riewoldt following Josh Bruce's emergence as a dangerous marking target. 

The defender-cum-forward has booted 26 goals and sits fifth in the Coleman Medal race, 11 majors behind West Coast big man Josh Kennedy.

"He's a pretty powerful and athletic kind of type, Josh Bruce. He's going well and he will be a tough opposition for anyone trying to mark him," Frawley said.

"Obviously everyone knows (Riewoldt) works hard and he will work himself to the bone, so whoever gets him on the weekend will be in for a tough day."

Ex-Demon Frawley, whose rebirth as a Hawk was stalled by a torn pectoral in round two which sidelined him for a month, said there was no panic Hawthorn after its rollercoaster start to 2015.

Hawthorn’s four losses have been by a combined 24 points, and Alastair Clarkson's outfit is only a game behind fourth-placed Collingwood.

"We've been playing pretty good footy. The four games we've lost (have all been by) under 10 points," Frawley said.

"It's not like we're playing bad footy, but … we just need to get that consistency right and hopefully we can string two wins together this week and build on from that.

“(There’s) definitely no need to panic, we're nine games into a long year. So there's plenty of time to make up some ground."