A bout of osteitis pubis restricted Wells to just seven games in 2009 and none since early August.
However, the 25-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and trained strongly in the past fortnight.
Wells’ return against the Hawks at North Ballarat fits in with the schedule outlined by club doctor Con Mitropoulos, who suggested the midfielder would be fit to play at least one game before round one.
With Wells joining Brent Harvey, Andrew Swallow, Brady Rawlings, Liam Anthony and Jack Ziebell, the Roos will field something close to their best midfield against Hawthorn on Saturday.
