Richmond defender-turned-midfielder Jayden Short is planning a Round 20 return for the Tigers' all-important Sunday afternoon clash with Melbourne at the MCG.
The hard-running Jack Dyer medallist succumbed to a hamstring injury during Richmond's Round 16 belting at the hands of the Brisbane Lions and has missed the Tigers' past three fixtures against Sydney, West Coast, and Hawthorn.
According to Richmond's Monday injury update, Short is a test to play against the Demons on Sunday, with a return highly beneficial to the Tigers' finals cause.
Meanwhile, one-gamer Jacob Bauer (hamstring), who was injured within the opening minutes of his league debut against the Sydney Swans in Round 17, is also in the selection frame for this weekend, representing a positive revelation for the youngster.
Second-year key defender Josh Gibcus (hamstring) remains sidelined for the medium term, having not played at all this season, while spearhead forward Tom Lynch (foot), draftee Kaleb Smith (ankle), and ruckman Mate Colina (back) all remain out for the long-term.
The Punt Road occupants sit in tenth position on the ladder but are just a half-game behind the fifth-placed Western Bulldogs, symbolising the tightness of this season's finals race.
Richmond's Sunday meeting with Melbourne is scheduled for 3:20 PM (AEST).
