Isaac Heeney's ankle issue will need to be managed throughout this AFL season, but Sydney are upbeat the young gun will be fit to face Collingwood on Saturday.
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Heeney's 2020 campaign was halted after just six rounds, when he underwent complex surgery on his right ankle.
The 25-year-old recovered ahead of schedule, ensuring he was fully fit for the Swans' season-opening win in 2021.
But the same joint flared up after the Swans' round-seven success over Geelong, forcing Heeney to miss their recent MCG clash with Melbourne.
"We're hoping he can do some running tomorrow (Tuesday) then look to train on Thursday," Sydney coach John Longmire told reporters on Monday.
"Hoping he pulls up OK and will be available (for the game against Collingwood).
"Sometimes it gets jammed up a bit and takes a bit longer to recover ... just because it happened once, doesn't mean it'll continue to happen.
"We think it'll get better the more training and playing he does.
"But it still has to be managed, we know that's the case."
It has been a typically taxing start to the season for hard nut Heeney, who missed the round-five derby against GWS because of a broken hand.
"Having the week off, it'll give his hand a week longer to feel better as well," Longmire said.
Four-time Coleman medallist Lance Franklin and gun defender Dane Rampe, who returned from knee and finger injuries respectively against Melbourne, have both pulled up well.
However, it is too early in the week for Longmire to make a call on whether Franklin will back up.
"He's like every other player, there still needs to be a level of training he can achieve," Longmire said.
"Not just for injury prevention, but for performance and to feel good about himself ... We'll monitor that."
Injured key forward Sam Reid is yet to resume training with the main group.
The Swans' VFL team were set to tackle Casey Demons last Sunday, but that match was postponed because of two COVID-19 cases in the NSW capital.
The absence of any match practice for the reserves will make it trickier for Longmire to settle on this week's changes.
"It would have been great for those boys to get a game," he said.
"But they didn't."
Australian Associated Press
