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AAP
AAP
Justin Chadwick

Dockers veteran Walters out for up to four weeks

A hamstring injury is set to rule Fremantle's Michael Walters (c) out for up to a month. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Fremantle forward Michael Walters will miss three to four weeks with a hamstring injury but defender Brennan Cox is finally ready to make his playing return.

Walters injured his right hamstring in the second quarter of Saturday's 67-point loss to the Western Bulldogs.

Scans have revealed a low-to-moderate grade hamstring injury, with the Dockers expecting Walters to miss up to four weeks. 

Defender Heath Chapman, who was a late withdrawal from the match with hamstring awareness, has been listed as a test for Sunday's clash with Gold Coast in Perth.

Cox, who underwent surgery in March to repair a hamstring tendon, will line up for Peel Thunder's reserve WAFL side this weekend.

Cox
Brennan Cox (c) is set to return via the WAFL. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

"It is really exciting to have Coxy back running out there," Fremantle high performance manager Phil Merriman said in a statement.

"We will see him in the reserves and hopefully steeply rise to the AFL ranks."

Carlton are waiting on the availability of Marc Pittonet (finger), Orazio Fantasia (AC joint), David Cuningham (calf), with the trio all listed as tests ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Geelong.

Adam Cerra (hamstring) is listed as being one week away. 

Geelong will welcome back veteran Patrick Dangerfield and Ollie Henry.

Dangerfield hasn't played since injuring his hamstring in round seven, while Henry is also on the way back from a hamstring setback.

Cameron Guthrie is two weeks away from a return as he continues to recover from an Achilles tendon issue.

West Coast are expected to welcome back skipper Oscar Allen (knee) for Sunday's encounter with Essendon at Marvel Stadium, but Tim Kelly (hip) is likely to miss a third straight game.

Liam Duggan has recovered well from his recent concussion and is expected to play, while Jayden Hunt (toe) is also on track.

Essendon could be bolstered by the return of ruckman Sam Draper (knee), Mason Redman (hamstring), Xavier Duursma (quad) and Ben Hobbs (calf).

Adelaide forward Taylor Walker, who has missed the past two games with a back injury, says he's confident he will be available to play after the club's current bye week.

Port Adelaide are hopeful of regaining Willie Rioli (calf) for Saturday's crunch encounter with Brisbane. 

Willie
Port hope to have Willie Rioli back in AFL action against the Lions. (Morgan Hancock/AAP PHOTOS)

Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft, who ruptured the ACL in his right knee in July last year, is expected to return in either the seniors or reserves next week.

North Melbourne duo Griffin Logue and Colby McKercher will return to action this weekend.

Logue, who ruptured his ACL in round 17 last year, will return via the VFL.

McKercher will play his first minutes since earning a Rising Star nomination in round nine, when he sustained a foot injury against Gold Coast.

Co-captain Jy Simpkin (hamstring) could also return against Melbourne on Saturday night.

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