FREMANTLE has officially ruled out star pair Matthew Pavlichand Aaron Sandilands from returning to face Geelong on Saturday night atSimonds Stadium. 

Pavlich has been out of action since round three followingsurgery on the plantaris tendon in his left foot, while Sandilands is yet toappear in 2013 due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the pre-season. 

General manager of football operations Chris Bond told theFremantle club website that neither player would be available for the clashagainst Geelong nor would they play in the WAFL for East Fremantle. 

"We feel with both players coming off the injuries thatthey’ve had, they will be better suited to a big training weekend,” Bond saidon fremantlefc.com.au. 

"It gives them the best chance to get through afull week next week." 

Bond said that both players would need to get throughanother week of training without incident to be considered for a round 15return against St Kilda.

"Both players are really close and are really keen toplay, and we're obviously keen to get them back in the team, but it needs to bein the best interests of the team and those players as well."