Key Hawk set to return as Lions suffer injury setbacks

Chol has missed two games with a groin complaint but the Hawks rate him a certainty for Friday night's blockbuster against Adelaide.

"He trained at the end of last week ... we just made the decision to give him another two training sessions to have him absolutely ready for this week," Hawthorn's high performance manager Peter Burge said.

Second-placed Adelaide plan for key defender Jordon Butts to resume contact training late this week after suffering a punctured lung two weeks ago.

"That means probably a week or two after that, he'll be available to play," the Crows' fitness boss Darren Burgess said.

Recruit Isaac Cumming, who missed the record 98-point thrashing of Port Adelaide due to a calf issue, looms as a candidate to replace Max Michalanney, out four to six weeks because of a hamstring tear.

Brisbane's eye-catching forward Kai Lohmann will likely miss the rest of the home-and-away rounds after scans confirmed the extent of his calf injury.

Brisbane say Lohmann will be sidelined three to four weeks and utility Connor McKenna (hamstring) will miss a month.

And luckless Lion Keidean Coleman, who has played just two AFL games in the past two seasons, is out for six to eight weeks with a thigh strain suffered in the VFL.

Third-placed Brisbane meet ladder-leaders Collingwood, set to be bolstered by the return of veteran Scott Pendlebury (corked thigh) and Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who kicked three goals in the VFL in his first match in five weeks.

The Magpies' influential backman Jeremy Howe is also set to return from a two-game absence due to a groin injury.

Gold Coast vice-captain Touk Miller is in the frame for a rapid recall from a knee injury.

Initially slated to miss a month, Miller could return against Richmond after missing only two matches.

And 17th-placed North Melbourne expect spearhead Nick Larkey to return to play St Kilda after missing three games with a knee injury.

The Saints, still buzzing from Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's match-winning feats last Sunday, could have a batch of players available for selection.

Midfielder Mattaes Phillipou is set to resume main training for the first time since suffering a foot injury in round 12. He was a late withdrawal two rounds later after aggravating the injury.

Sidelined Saints Lance Collar (shin), Isaac Keeler (hamstring), Hugo Garcia (wrist) and Jack Carroll (knee) face fitness tests.

Sydney have ruled out Logan McDonald (ankle) for the remainder of the season but Tom McCartin could return from concussion for their clash against Essendon.

Australian Associated Press