Sydney forward Joel Amartey has avoided significant damage to his hamstring for the second time this season, with the emerging Swans tall and veteran Dane Rampe both in the selection mix to face Adelaide in Round 23.
Swans coach John Longmire will make at least one change from his lineup that defeat Gold Coast over the weekend, with young flanker Braeden Campbell returning from suspension.
Sydney won't have midfielder Justin McInerney (calf) for at least another week, however Rampe is close to being cleared to play after building his training workloads over the past week as he eyes a return from a calf issue of his own.
Both Rampe and Amartey will need to prove their fitness at Thursday's main session for the Swans, with Longmire revealing Amartey has avoided a hamstring tear but is still dealing with hamstring issues.
"He's okay, it's not a tear so that's a good thing," Longmire told reporters of Amartey's hamstring injury.
"He's had a bit of tendonitis there that he's been managing over the past couple of weeks. So we'll see how it goes he goes on Thursday. He didn't do a lot today. We'll make a decision after training (on Thursday).
"Rampe is a chance. He's been training, he trained really well on Saturday and trained again today.
"We'll see how he goes at training on Thursday, hopefully he gets through and is available to play."
Fringe defender Lewis Melican's season remains alive after the backman made his return from a hamstring strain through the VFL over the weekend against the Suns. Melican's 2023 campaign was seen to be in doubt due to the setback, with Longmire lauding the 26-year-old's diligence in his recovery.
While a return is unlikely this week, Melican could add depth for selection in the coming weeks if the Swans can secure themselves a finals spot.
"When he initially did it we were a bit concerned, so we thought it might've been the end of the season for him," the Swans coach said.
"He's been fantastic with his rehab and it wasn't as bad as what we first thought. He was able to get through the (VFL) game and he's pulled up well.
"He'll do some training today so that's a really good sign."
Sydney's backline will be up against one of the competition's most lethal attacking units in Round 23 when they face the Crows.
Led by veteran Taylor Walker, Longmire knows the challenge the in-form forward presents for his group.
"He's kicked almost 70 goals 'Tex', so he's probably in the best form of his career," Longmire said.
"It's going to be a real challenge for whoever plays on him. We'll give him the respect that he deserves because he's a gun player.
"Our players have got a lot of admiration for what he can do. He can kick a goal from 60-70 (metres), can get it and snap it out of the ruck, he can do a lot of things. He's in great form.
"It'll be a challenge for our defence."
Sydney and Adelaide will clash at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night at 7:40pm (AEST).
