Midfielder Rhys Palmer will play this week after missing the side’s loss to St Kilda with an ankle/calf problem, while Jay van Berlo (ankle) and possibly Greg Broughton (foot) will be available.
After the important clash at Etihad Stadium, which will see Fremantle’s top four spot go on the line, Harvey expects to also regain Luke McPharlin, Chris Mayne, Des Headland and Michael Johnson, who is finishing a club-imposed six-week suspension.
“I’d like to think a week or two after the bye we’ll get five players back; whether we play them straight away or not remains to be seen,” Harvey said from Fremantle Oval on Wednesday. “It’s all about managing your players.”
Palmer has played six games this season as he works his way back from a serious knee injury and Harvey said the club understood it would take time for him to hit peak form.
The 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star has averaged 19 possessions a game this season after racking up more than 23 touches a week in his sensational debut year.
“You look at guys who have had knee reconstructions, their form can always be up and down,” Harvey said.
“Getting back to the type of player you were sometimes takes time. It’ll take a little bit of time with Rhys, we understand that.
“He’s one of those brave, courageous type players that you always love to have in your side.
“I said to him, ‘The game’s probably gone up another five per cent while you were out’, so he’s still adapting to that. He’ll work his way around it.”
After losing consecutive games for the first time this season, Harvey said it was important for Fremantle to head into the break on the back of a win.
“They’re a good running side (and) they’ve got a lot of availability at this particular stage," Harvey said. "We know that when they’re at their best they’re quite dangerous.”
Harvey, who is yet to be re-signed, said the mid-season break was not likely to see his contract resolved, but he was comfortable to let the team’s performance in the second half of the year dictate his future.
“All you do is you work hard and progress with what you’re doing and that’ll take care of itself,” he said.
