NICK Malceski is a better than even money proposition to play this week against the Western Bulldogs, as is Leo Barry if he can get through Friday's training session, according to Sydney Swans physiotherapist Matt Cameron.
Even better news for the Swans is that 2005 premiership players Jared Crouch and Nic Fosdike are back playing for the team's reserves and exciting midfielder Ed Barlow will also make his return this week.
Malceski has been carrying a calf injury that has seen him miss the past three games but Cameron is confident the talented defender will take the field on Sunday.
"Malceski injured his calf on the Friday before the Hawthorn game but has been back training fully this week," he said.
"Calf muscles can be tricky, but fingers crossed he will play this week. With Leo Barry, his left hamstring was injured in the match against Carlton, but it was only minor and if can get through training on Friday he will play on Sunday."
Tough defender Crouch is approaching full fitness after playing four reserves games following a battle with injuries since pre-season last year.
"He has played four games in the reserves before the bye last week and he is ready to go.
"Fosdike was another who had an interrupted pre-season, injuring the medial ligament in his knee, which required an arthroscope, resulting in him not playing until round six, and then injured his right hamstring late June. He will play in the reserves this week.
"Barlow started to suffer a back- and nerve-related hamstring injury in May, which led to a fully blown right hamstring tear in June. He will make his return this week in the reserves."
In other good news Mick O'Loughlin is off the crutches and walking after damaging both ligaments in his right ankle, though the Swans say he is still another couple of weeks from playing.
The news isn't great for Adam Goodes, who has "groin bone pain" and will have to be carefully managed until the end of the season, while Henry Playfair has a "medium tear" in his left hamstring and is expected to miss four weeks.
