Tiger Lynch eyes return for Dustin Martin's 300th game

Tom Lynch hopes to return for Richmond's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG on Saturday. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Richmond spearhead Tom Lynch will push to make his long-awaited return from a hamstring problem in teammate Dustin Martin's 300th game.

But fellow Tigers stalwart Dion Prestia will miss Saturday's clash with Hawthorn at the MCG through his latest soft-tissue injury setback.

Elsewhere, Adelaide will hope to regain star playmaker Izak Rankine and forward Taylor Walker from their respective injuries as they host ladder-leading Sydney.

Lynch, who missed most of last season with a foot injury, hasn't played since undergoing hamstring surgery after the round-three win over the Swans.

He is listed as a "test" and would offer a huge boost to the Tigers as they look to celebrate Martin's milestone with a win.

Richmond have the bye after the Hawthorn game and could yet opt to give Lynch more recovery time.

Prestia will miss one-to-two weeks with a soleus strain in his calf.

Rankine is attempting to return from a hamstring injury, which has sidelined him since round 10, against Sydney.

“Izak has done everything that we’ve asked him to do and completed all the objective markers,” Crows fitness boss Darren Burgess said.

“His last test will be to get through training on Wednesday night, and assuming he does that then I’m pretty sure he will make himself available for selection.

“He had a big session last Friday and moved really well, and backed that up again yesterday, so there’s no reason at the moment why he won’t play on the weekend.”

Walker missed last week's loss to Richmond with a back issue.

“(Walker) was a little bit sore in his back last week but he completed a pretty solid running session on Monday and assuming he gets through training on Wednesday then he will put his hand up for selection as well,” Burgess said.

Taylor Walker of the Adelaide Crows.
Crows comeback: Taylor Walker could face Sydney at Adelaide Oval on Saturday evening.

Key Greater Western Sydney pair Josh Kelly and Jack Buckley will push to return and face Port Adelaide after their respective calf injuries.

Power skipper Connor Rozee will return from an ankle injury, while Willie Rioli (calf) will have to prove his fitness.

Western Bulldogs defender Alex Keath will miss five-to-seven weeks with a hamstring problem.

But Cody Weightman (elbow reconstruction) and Ed Richards (concussion)  will push to return against Fremantle.

St Kilda defender Dougal Howard will miss a month after injuring his hamstring against Gold Coast.

Essendon have suffered a fresh blow with mid-season draftee Saad El-Hawli requiring syndesmosis surgery that will sideline him for six-to-eight weeks.

El-Hawli had scored four goals in a best-on-ground VFL debut for the Bombers but got his leg caught under him in a tackle.

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