The injury epidemic will begin to subside this week with the Gold Coast SUNS set to regain a handful of key players ahead of their clash against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
 
Dual Brownlow medallist Gary Ablett is considered more than likely to return from a serious shoulder injury, with his availability to be confirmed on Thursday once the medical team assess how he recovers from Wednesday’s main training session.
 
“Gary’s had a good couple of weeks of training. The last week, since we’ve returned back from the bye he’s increased his contact again. We’ve just got to see how he pulls up tomorrow to see whether he gets named,” GC SUNS Head Physiotherapist Adam Russell told SUNS TV.
 
Fellow star onballer Harley Bennell is a confirmed starter after overcoming a calf problem that has forced him to miss the last fortnight. Whilst it remains unclear which side David Swallow will return in after he was cleared to play following the completion of his rehabilitation program from a posterior cruciate ligament injury.
 
“Dave’s going along really well with his knee. He’ll play at some level on the weekend, it’s just up to the match committee to work out where he is best suited, whether that’s coming through the NEAFL or against Carlton on Sunday,” Russell said.
 
The SUNS' defensive key posts will be strengthened by the return of Steven May who has recovered from an adductor strain that caused him to miss the hard-fought loss to Fremantle before the bye.
 
“Steven May hurt his adductor against Sydney and missed Freo. He’s trained really strongly the last two weeks and we anticipate he will play on Sunday,” Russell said.
 
In more good news for the backline, key defender Rory Thompson will also return after a six week lay off. Thompson has overcome a hip flexor injury, and will return via the NEAFL in order to get some much needed match conditioning.

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