Injury-prone Melbourne midfielder Jack Trengove is finally on the cusp of returning senior football two years after playing his last game of AFL.
Trengove has been sidelined since Round 2, 2014, due to chronic stress fractures in his foot.
Coach Paul Roos confirmed on Wednesday that Trengove is on the verge of earning a recall to the senior side after several impressive performances in the VFL.
"He's getting close, there's no doubt. His form's been really, really good," Roos said.
"I don't want to build it up too much then not pick him, so we've got to be a bit careful, but it will be big for the club, it will be big for Jack, it will be big for everyone (when he plays).
"Jack understands where he's at. He understands he's close, but he's not panicking.
"Clearly he would want to play now, as we've spoken about, so he's really in the mix of getting picked, which I think is a fantastic effort from him given where he's come from."
Trengove could come into the side as a replacement for the injured Jack Viney, who will miss the next month with a broken knuckle.
The 24-year-old has played just 81 games in an injury interrupted career, after being selected with pick No.2 in the 2009 National Draft.
Meanwhile, Chris Dawes, Lynden Dunn and Clayton Oliver are all in line to return to face the Hawks.