GEELONG's injury list continues to shrink, with highly-regarded ruckman Nathan Vardy set to make his long-awaited comeback via the VFL this weekend.

The 24-year-old big man has not played since the 2013 preliminary final against Hawthorn after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a training mishap in February 2014.

Vardy, who remains stranded on 21 AFL games, had further surgery in May last year, casting doubt over his career.

"It's a credit to him, with what he’s been through, and how many setbacks he's had with this knee as well," Geelong football manager Steve Hocking told the K Rock football website.

"If he can complete a full week and the main session, he'll be available to play this weekend."

Hocking said Vardy's game time would be carefully managed, much in the same way Daniel Menzel's was a fortnight ago.

"He'll be on limited game time, but he'll still be able to play in all the different positions he needs to," Hocking said.

In further good news for the Cats, midfielder Josh Cowan could also join Vardy for Saturday's game against Essendon's VFL team at Simonds Stadium.

Cowan has not played since straining his hamstring against Collingwood in round six in his first AFL game in almost four years.

"If he gets through the main session, he'll play this weekend," Hocking said.