GEELONG captain Joel Selwood is in doubt to face Adelaide on Sunday through injury as the Cats work feverishly on having champion Gary Ablett return to the squad. 

Selwood was reduced to light training on Monday, and despite a nine-day break off the win against Port Adelaide, is every chance to miss with what the Cats are terming a "niggle".

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It will open the door for Jack Steven to return, while Esava Ratugolea (adductor) and Luke Dahlhaus (foot) are expected to play after setbacks.

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"We are managing him, he's no certainty to play this week," Scott said of Selwood on Thursday.

"He's got a little niggle that might cost him a week or so.

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"We're just in the phase of the season, with some short breaks coming up, it'd be crazy for us to push him when we'd like to see him play consecutive games hopefully going into the finals series… (but) we haven't ruled him out."

Meantime, the Cats are working with Richmond to get Ablett and Tigers star Shane Edwards to Queensland before the next scheduled AFL flight out of Melbourne on September 1.

While there is no certainty, the Cats remain hopeful Ablett will be given the green light to fly as early as Friday which would allow him to start his 14-day isolation away from teammates earlier and potentially return before finals.

"I'm not really across the detail but I'm told that I should be optimistic and we're optimistic," Scott said.

"There's a lot of work being done behind the scenes.

"It was always our intention, and we were led to believe that the AFL will do everything they could, to get him back if he was in that position. Nothing seems to have changed there.

"There are obviously issues that are well beyond our control and the AFL's control and rest more with the government. My understanding is if it is possible, it will happen."

Scott said it was "almost a given" Steven would play after he was rested last week and added "I think Luke will play" when asked of Dahlhaus' chances after missing five matches.

The coach also moved to clear up confusion around Ratugolea after all but confirming his place in the side last week before he wasn't named to face the Power due to adductor soreness.

Scott said if he was available, the 22-year-old would play, despite the Cats kicking three of their four highest scores of the season without him and using Tom Hawkins as the lone key forward.

"I think I'm pretty clear and transparent on Ratugolea, I'm bullish there and looking forward to seeing him back in the team," Scott said.

"I don't see any reason why the structure with him in the team couldn't prosper even more."

Scott said Cam Guthrie should be right to face the Crows after missing training on Monday with a corkie, while Brad Close was "in the frame" for a small forward role due to Sam Simpson's hamstring injury.

However, Scott ruled out Josh Jenkins and Nakia Cockatoo playing their first games of the year in the clash at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.