BEN MCGLYNN is firming as a likely starter for the Sydney Swans' qualifying final against Fremantle on Saturday, while teammate Josh Kennedy is also making good progress.
McGlynn, who has been sidelined for three weeks with a calf injury, took part in virtually all of Tuesday's training session at the SCG and moved freely.
Reborn as a midfielder this season, McGlynn has had an outstanding 2014 campaign and is due some luck at this time of year.
A hamstring injury kept him out of both the preliminary final and Grand Final of the club's premiership-winning season back in 2012, while he also missed last year's semi-final victory over Carlton due to injury.
Brownlow Medal contender Kennedy has missed the past two matches with a hamstring injury, ending a run of 127 consecutive games.
He was one of the last players onto the track on Tuesday and spent time running laps and doing agility work with fellow injured players Craig Bird (knee) and Brandon Jack (ankle), plus Ryan O'Keefe.
Kennedy didn't train with the main group, but had a couple of shots on goal and did some stoppage work alongside Mike Pyke before hitting Dan Hannebery with a spearing pass from about 35m.
"He's back," Hannebery said when he marked Kennedy's pass.
Prior to training, co-captain Kieren Jack was asked about Kennedy and McGlynn.
"They're both tracking well," Jack said.
"They had muscular injuries, so they'll get a chance to train today and on Thursday as well.
"I expect them both to train and train well and put their hands up for selection.
"They're big players, big-game players, and if we've got them in our team it's a massive plus for us."
Bird, who damaged a posterior cruciate ligament in his knee against St Kilda in round 21, has missed the past two matches but is also a chance of a recall this week.
Lance Franklin and Pyke, who were both rested last week, are also certain starters at ANZ Stadium, where the victor will get a week off before hosting a preliminary final.
It means the Swans could have as many as five changes this week and Jack was questioned whether the inclusions, particularly midfielders Kennedy and McGlynn, could disrupt the team's cohesion.
"No. We've played a lot of footy with Josh and Ben and they fit our structures very well," he said.
"We plan our structures, really, around those players in the side.
"It's allowed some other players to come in and really improve our depth, guys like Jake Lloyd and Harry Cunningham.
"But, really, they can go back to doing what they're good at if Josh and Ben are back in the midfield.
"It just gives us greater depth."
