HAWTHORN will wait until late in the week before making a call on whether midfielder Liam Shiels will return to face the Western Bulldogs.

The 24-year-old has not played since fracturing his wrist in Hawthorn's final NAB Challenge match against North Melbourne on March 12.

Shiels took part in much of Hawthorn's training last week, although it is understood the Hawks kept him away from tackling drills to protect the injured wrist.

"He (Shiels) did all the skill work last week and now what it really comes down to is can he cop the real match pressure stuff that's coming if he plays on the weekend," Hawks football boss Chris Fagan told the club's website.

"We'll probably test that out later in the week, say Friday or Saturday."

Fagan also said Hawks skipper Luke Hodge has began light skills training following surgery on a broken ulna suffered in Hawthorn's loss to Geelong in round one.