GOLD Coast is likely to regain star midfielder Aaron Hall for the clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, coach Stuart Dew says.
Hall had surgery on a broken left finger the week leading up to round one, with the onballer missing the Suns' 16-point win over North Melbourne in sodden Cairns.
Hall suffered the injury in the club's second JLT Community Series game against Brisbane in Southport.
"He'll train today (Wednesday) and we're confident he'll be ready to go," Dew said.
"He's actually trained Monday and Tuesday as well, so I think today we'll tick him off and he'll be up for selection again."
Hall's inclusion will be a significant one for the Suns who won their first game under their new coach and won the midfield battle against the Roos – getting on top in contested possessions (208-189) and tackles (94-84) in soggy conditions.
Dew confirmed Pearce Hanley is still "a couple of weeks" away from returning from a shoulder injury.
The Irishman dislocated his shoulder when he crashed into advertising boarding after a desperate lunge to prevent a goal against the Lions in the pre-season competition.
"Initially (he was ruled out for) 4-6 (weeks). They're a hard one to tell with shoulders," Dew said.
"His strength is really good. We won't push the boundaries on that given it's the start of the season.
"It'll be ticking off a few metrics in the next couple of weeks and he'll be available in the next couple of weeks hopefully."
Midfielders Will Brodie and Jesse Lonergan are also in the selection mix, as is ruckman Tom Nicholls.
Despite a positive start to his coaching career, Dew is fully aware the wheel can turn at any moment and he is wary of the form Carlton produced against Richmond in round one.
"They pushed the reigning premier right to the limit. They've worked the last couple of years on defence and their offence was on show. They punished Richmond on turnovers and started particularly well," Dew said.
Former Crow Harrison Wigg is set to return to the field via the NEAFL this weekend after the midfield recruit fractured his ankle at training in December.
"He'll play a bit in our NEAFL practice game this week which we're looking forward to. It's a tough initiation to get that sort of injury (upon arriving at the club) but he's got a lot of work to do," Dew said.
"He's missed basically the last three months of proper pre-season so he'll have to get a few games under his belt … and we'll lift the bar in a few weeks."
Tall forward Sam Day will play his 100th game against the Blues.
