FREMANTLE defender Roger Hayden could make a late-season comeback as a forward as coach Mark Harvey looks to establish his first-choice attack before the end of the year.

The 28-year-old has been sidelined since round nine with a fractured fibula, but Harvey said he was a chance to return for Sunday's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Hayden has played just six games this season after missing the first three rounds with a hamstring injury, but had a big impact playing forward in Fremantle's successive victories over the Sydney Swans, West Coast and Carlton.

With Luke McPharlin certain to return this week after missing three matches with a calf injury, Harvey was looking forward to fielding a full-strength forward line in the remaining rounds.

"I'm pretty keen to get this forward line settled and playing together," Harvey said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday. "We're working in anticipation to get this ready.

"(Hayden) Ballantyne, McPharlin and maybe even Hayden might be a part of [the forward line].

"And you're just starting to see the emergence of (Des) Headland and guys like (Chris) Mayne."

Mayne has kicked seven goals in a sensational return in the last fortnight, while Headland shone against Port Adelaide at the weekend with three.

For the first time this season Harvey has senior players pushing for recalls, but his band of youngsters have contributed to two wins in the side's last three games.

Harvey said it would be an interesting selection meeting, but added youth would be retained if those players were earning their spots.

Nic Suban, who is one of just six Fremantle players to have played every game this season, accompanied Harvey at the coach's mid-week press conference and said it would be great for the club to take a young side to the MCG and win this week.

"Obviously the 'G's probably the best ground in Australia [so] it'd be special," Suban said. "(But) we're not going to take them (Melbourne) lightly."

The draftee has made an impact at Fremantle as a confrontational running defender with a booming and accurate left boot.

Harvey spoke highly of the 19-year-old Victorian's transition.

"Nic's a kid that had to leave home at an early age and come over to Western Australia," the coach said.

"He did that well and homesickness is always an interesting phase.

"What we've found with Nic is he's fitted straight in and become a very important part of the development of our young players."