TOM ROCKLIFF is almost certain to resume his place as Brisbane Lions captain against West Coast on Sunday after completing Thursday's main training session.

Rockliff has been recovering from fractured ribs and a punctured lung sustained in round one against Collingwood and looks set to beat the odds by returning so quickly.

He was originally expected to miss up to six weeks, but on Thursday afternoon, Rockliff completed everything asked of him by coach Justin Leppitsch.

He will be named in the Lions' 25-man squad, but must still pull up from the session well in coming days to take his place.

Earlier on Thursday, Leppitsch said he would need to complete the main session to be considered.

"He has to be able to do all the movements in the game. If he can do all those, he'll more than likely wear a brace so the impact won't be an issue, then we've ticked all the boxes," he said.

"We just have to get through training."

The 25-year-old will likely be selected in a 25-man squad and be assessed in the coming days.

Despite the 0-3 season start and criticism of his team's leadership following last week's loss against Richmond, Leppitsch said Rockliff would not be rushed back if he wasn't 100 per cent. 

"Tom will only come back if he's fit to play. It doesn’t bother me if we're 0-18 ... we're only playing fit players," he said.

"It (playing before he's fit) can only make him worse and make his rehab longer." 

This season is starting out remarkably similar to the last one, with the Lions not only struggling for form, but also being decimated by injuries. 

Just three rounds in, they have 13 players on the injury list (including Rockliff), of which arguably seven are starting 22 players.

Leppitsch said despite the setbacks, he and the players were confident of turning things around quickly.

"If we win this week, it drip feeds some confidence into the group and we can regain our season - it's only very early," he said. 

"We won our first game on Anzac Day last year (against St Kilda in Wellington) if you remember. Maybe it's destiny again?"