HAWTHORN will be significantly boosted for Sunday's MCG clash with Melbourne with the return of key pair Grant Birchall and Cyril Rioli.

But emerging half-back Teia Miles will miss up to six weeks after straining a medial ligament in the VFL last Sunday.

Birchall has missed the last four weeks because of a fractured jaw, during which time the Hawks have lost three games by 12 goals or more, and will bring much-needed run and accurate disposal out of defence. 

"[Birchall] can’t wait to get out there with the boys," Hawthorn elite performance manager Andrew Russell told hawthornfc.com.au. 

"He’s certainly available, and he will be a good chance to be selected I would think." 

Rioli missed the heavy loss to St Kilda last Saturday because of hip soreness and will add much-needed X-factor to the forward line. He played brilliantly against West Coast a fortnight ago before suffering the injury.

"He trained with the boys today (Tuesday) and did a good skills session," Russell said. 

"We'll see how he pulls up from that but he'll train on Thursday and will get ready to play."

Miles was OK in his two maiden appearances at AFL level at the start of the season and was in line for a return to the Hawthorn side sooner rather than later. 

Promising news for the Hawks is that ruckman Jonathan Ceglar has stepped up his running as he continues his rehabilitation following an ACL injury late last season. 

He will resume ball work shortly and is expected to start playing once again, at least for Box Hill, in the second half of the season.