THE SYDNEY Swans are no clearer to finding out whether star forward Lance Franklin will be right to return against St Kilda next weekend.

Franklin will miss his third successive match, the Swans' clash with the Giants on Saturday, as he continues to recover from a torn muscle in his back.

"They're frustrated that Buddy hasn't settled down. He's taking longer than expected," leading medico Dr Peter Larkins told AFL.com.au.

"He's a week-to-week proposition. He's definitely going to play in finals– it's not as if there's something there that's too severe.

"He was probably going to miss two and he's missed three and they'll look at him with the prospect of playing next week."

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Swans coach John Longmire also revealed on Thursday that Franklin has been dealing with rib cartilage damage, but Larkins said the tightness in his back was the more significant issue.

"[Rib cartilage damage] is something that can last for six to eight weeks," Larkins said.

"That wouldn't stop him on its own. It's more the muscular tightness and spasm that he got as a result of the bleeding – the corkie he got in his back."