Connors hasn't played an AFL game since round three when he was suspended by the club for an alcohol-related incident after the Tigers' away loss to the Sydney Swans.
The 21-year-old could not train with his teammates for six weeks and hasn't been available for selection until now, however Hardwick has wasted no time in recalling him.
"He's a very good player and one that we feel has an enormous future at this footy club, so he'll come straight back in, there's no doubt about that," the Tigers coach said.
“We just hope he performs to the standard that he has been in the VFL over the last four to five weeks.”
Hardwick praised the way Connors has worked to turn his career and life around.
“He’s been terrific. Once he got over the initial shock of it all he put some measures in place, some safety nets to ensure it never happens again.
“We just hope that … for the sake of his personal life it sets him on the straight and narrow, because underneath it all he’s a terrific kid.
“He’s sought some opinions from people - (Geelong’s) Steve Johnson was obviously a notable one - but there are some other people he’s got some really good advice from.”
Richmond will make a number of other changes to the team that lost to St Kilda last Friday night.
“Big Ben Griffiths will play for us again this weekend, so hopefully he can take some of the pressure of Jack Riewoldt,” Hardwick said.
“It’s exciting for our fans to come and watch Ben basically make his debut in Melbourne this week.”
Midfielder Daniel Jackson is also certain to be recalled after serving his three-match ban for headbutting Hawthorn’s Campbell Brown.
But Nathan Foley’s ankle injury will keep him on the sidelines again.
“We just want to make sure he’s right for the second half of the year,” Hardwick said.
“We’re not prepared to push him at any stage. Obviously he’s a foundation player at our footy club so well be light and easy with Nathan this week.”
Despite the fact they only boast only one win this season, the Tigers are favourites with the bookies to beat the Eagles.
“I don’t pay too much attention to the bookmakers to be perfectly honest,” Hardwick remarked.
“From our point of view, we go into every game thinking we can win. Every coach would be exactly the same.
“We’ll go out there, play our game and hopefully come out on top.”
