Paddy McCartin looks on after the R6 clash between Sydney and Hawthorn on April 25, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

SYDNEY trio Tom Hickey, Paddy McCartin and Logan McDonald are all in the frame to make their AFL return from injury.

Ruckman Hickey hasn't featured since hurting a knee in round three but the Swans are bullish about his availability for Saturday's game against Gold Coast.

McCartin and McDonald are both tipped to return after missing last weekend's loss to Brisbane because of concussion protocols.

"Paddy and Logan are absolutely right in that (selection) frame," Swans coach John Longmire told reporters on Tuesday.

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"They trained today, we expect them to train again on Thursday and be available."

Hickey, who suffered a strain to a medial ligament in a knee, has been in full training since late last week.

"He is a strong chance as well," Longmire said.

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"Whilst he is not quite over the line, he has done everything and more that has been asked of him.

"So we wouldn't be surprised if come Thursday he is available."

Tom Hickey with ice on his knee after being subbed out from the round three match between the Western Bulldogs and Sydney at Marvel Stadium on March 31, 2022. Picture: Michael Willson

Utility Harry Cunningham, who has an abdominal strain after the 24-point loss to the Lions, remains in doubt for a Swans outfit buoyed by the re-signing of young gun Justin McInerney.

The 21-year-old McInerney, pick 44 at the 2018 draft, has signed a four-year contract extension tying him to Sydney until the end of the 2026 season.

"He is one of the players we're really confident in, we have been thrilled with how he has developed," Longmire said of the 36-gamer.

"'He was a really good draft pick by our recruiting department.

Justin McInerney celebrates a goal during the R5 clash between Sydney and West Coast at Optus Stadium on April 15, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

"And from the moment he walked into the place, he had high energy, his footy IQ was really high ... and he could play.

"He is an important part of that next push of a whole younger group and a new generation of players coming through this footy club that want to make their own mark.

"There's a number of players in that group who are pretty tight and are able to play some good footy together ... and learn together as well."

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Longmire said the young batch would have learned from the loss to flag fancies Brisbane.

"They're a very good team so it was good to look at some of the things that we needed to improve on," he said.

"One of them was momentum and a bit of consistency during the course of the game, our younger players would have learnt a lot out of that.

"We did a bit right as well so it's just a matter of making sure we go a little bit longer."