Hawthorn captain Ben McEvoy's return will offset the loss of fellow ruckman Max Lynch for Saturday night's away clash against Port Adelaide, coach Sam Mitchell says.
McEvoy missed Hawthorn's season-opening win against North Melbourne due to the AFL's COVID-19 protocols.
Ex-Collingwood ruck Lynch made his debut for the Hawks in their 20-point victory but was concussed, ruling him out of the trip to Adelaide.
"Poor old Lynchy, bad timing for him, I know he has had a few concussions already and to have another one wasn't ideal for him in his first opportunity in the brown and gold," Mitchell told reporters on Wednesday.
"But we get Ben McEvoy back into our program. If he gets through the next couple of days of training then he will be available which is always good to have your captain back.
"He just needs to have a run around ... being out of the program for a week knocks you around a little bit.
"But we're fortunate that he has recovered pretty well and is feeling good and he will be ready to go."
Mitchell rated classy half-back Will Day as an outside chance to play against Port in what would be his first AFL game since ankle surgery last June.
"He was playing limited game time last week in the VFL but played three quarters or a touch more than that, so he is getting very close," Mitchell said.
"We will watch him and monitor him and see how he goes for the rest of the week.
"And whether or not we play him this week, next week or the week after will be something to monitor but he's a chance for this week."
First-year coach Mitchell said the win over North was "one step in the right direction" but was wary of the challenge of travelling to meet Port, who have lost consecutive preliminary finals.
"They have got talent on every line," he said.
"Their talls are very strong, their midfield is outstanding - they have got the Brownlow medallist (Ollie Wines) from last year and I think (Travis) Boak has been perhaps the most consistent midfielder over the last three seasons.
"They have got a fantastic team."
