GEELONG captain Joel Selwood is in line to play his first game of the year against Adelaide on Thursday after overcoming knee soreness.

Selwood missed the Cats’ first NAB Challenge match against Gold Coast in Townsville.

But Geelong's general manager of football Steve Hocking told The Age that the skipper should be ready to return against the Crows at Simonds Stadium.

"He just had a bit of soreness behind his knee but he has been OK. He has overcome it," Hocking said.

"He had done a lot work up until that point in time (of soreness). It is not a major concern. It will really just be about touch for him."

Steve Johnson (foot soreness) and new recruit Rhys Stanley (leg soreness) are also on the mend but are unlikely to be ready to face Adelaide.

Both men are pushing to be ready for the Cats' final pre-season game against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on March 22, but Hocking said the Cats match committee had no issue with playing the pair in VFL practice matches to give them an extra game if need be.

"We have got our VFL practice matches starting as well," Hocking said.

"We have four games in and around those weekends leading into the season

"If there was another game required for those guys that have missed, we wouldn't hesitate in playing them in there to make sure they got enough game time under their belt before the start of the season."

There was some positive news for forward Lincoln McCarthy following foot surgery last week.

"Once they (surgeons) got in there, it was better than what showed up on the scans," Hocking said.

"That's why the medicos always say they don't treat (injuries) based on scans.

"It wasn't as bad as they initially thought. That's a great result for him."