HAWTHORN expects star forward Lance Franklin to play in Friday night's blockbuster clash against Essendon after he completed a strong week of training at Waverley Park on Thursday.
Click here for Doc Larkins' full injury update
Franklin, whohas missed the Hawks' past two games with swelling and bleeding behind theknee, moved well at training with the main group on Thursday in the Hawks'final tune-up ahead of the top-of-the-ladder clash at Etihad Stadium.
CoachAlastair Clarkson said rest and massage had allowed the fluid to drain fromFranklin's knee and he would play if cleared on Thursday afternoon.
"Obviouslyhe's missed a couple of games but we're expecting he'll be right and he'llplay, Clarkson said.
"He'strained well this week. Whenhe's right to go he's right to go.
"He wasn't too faraway last weekend, but he just wasn't quite right and didn't feel comfortabletraining. We didn't push him too hard."
Clarkson alsodeclared premiership midfielder Brad Sewell had done enough to hold his placeagainst the Bombers after being dropped a fortnight ago.
Sewellreturned against the Western Bulldogs last week as a late replacement for SamMitchell, who has since recovered from a stomach bug.
"He was quite goodfor us last week against the Bulldogs and he's a proud man," Clarkson saidof Sewell.
"His standards arereally high and he wasn't keeping to those for about a six-week block and hesuffered the consequences as a result of that.
"He came back andplayed particularly well last week so he'll get another crack at it tomorrownight."
Clarkson played down thesignificance of Friday night's clash, despite the opportunity Essendon has tosnare top spot if it can end a three-game losing streak against the Hawks.
He said theHawks were focused on playing their best football in September.
"Whoever winstomorrow night, it's not going to be catastrophic for either side if they lose,"he said.
"Nor is it going tobe season-defining if you win.
"This time lastyear we were playing some superb footy, but we didn't play our best footy inthe finals.
"If we play well ordon't tomorrow night it's not going to be anywhere near as catastrophic as ifwe don't play well in finals."
Nathan Schmook is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow himon Twitter @AFL_Nathan
