HAWTHORN could turn to a three-gamer to lead its ruck division against Gold Coast big man Jarrod Witts in Launceston on Saturday.

Jon Ceglar was due to face the Suns, but is a scratching from the Hawks' selected side on Thursday night, replaced by Tim O'Brien, who can pinch-hit in the ruck.

Ceglar, 27, was three AFL games into his comeback from a knee reconstruction, but suffered a corked quad in last week's win over Adelaide and hasn't sufficiently recovered.

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That news follows coach Alastair Clarkson's announcement on Friday that No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy and goalsneak Paul Puopolo could be late withdrawals, with their wives due to give birth any day.

Marc Pittonet, who played his last AFL match in round 23, 2016, is on standby if McEvoy comes out and the 22-year-old ruckman travelled with the team.

He averaged 6.7 disposals, 3.3 tackles and 11 hit-outs in his three senior appearances two years ago, but is a consistently strong performer in the VFL.