Franklin joined teammates on a flight to the Gold Coast on Friday afternoon and is expected to play in Hawthorn's NAB Cup opener against the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions.
"As long as I'm coach of the club, I'll continue to treat Bud with the same attitude that I do with the rest of the players and that's what's critical in terms of the way that we manage it," Clarkson told reporters at Melbourne airport.
"As long as he's playing the footy that we want him to play, and making a contribution to the side then we're happy, and those things will work out between Lance and the club in due course," Clarkson said.
Franklin had been due to captain the AFL's Indigenous All Stars side against Richmond in Alice Springs a fortnight ago, but withdrew through injury.
"He could have nearly played that game, he just burst a little cyst in the back of his calf, he decided that he didn't want to put it at risk in that particular game," Clarkson said.
Cyril Rioli was also forced out of that game, but is set to line up at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.
"Big Roughy gave him a corky on the Monday at training," Clarkson revealed.
Skipper Luke Hodge is close to full training after post-season surgery, but is still no certainty for round one of the premiership season.
"We'll just see how he goes, we're not going to rush him," Clarkson said.
Matt Thompson is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter @MattThompsonAFL
