Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce will undergo a fitness test later in the week in the hope of being available for the Dockers' clash against Melbourne at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
The Palawa man is likely to be cleared by the club's medical staff after missing the past three matches due to a fractured left forearm.
Pearce left the ground during the third quarter of the Dockers' win against the Gold Coast Suns in Round 15 with scans later confirming the extent of the injury.
Fremantle's High Performance Manager Phil Merriman said that the 29-year-old is likely to play this weekend.
"He (Pearce) was desperate to play last week in front of the hometown, but didn't quite get there," Merriman said.
"I can assure the Freo fans he's jumping over all the hurdles and is looking good for this weekend."
Pearce underwent successful surgery post-injury and is likely to wear an arm sleeve in the foreseeable future to support his recovery.
The star defender travelled to Tasmania last week and participated in the club's captain's run training session before ultimately falling short in his bid to play against the Hawks.
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir said that there is always going to be a 'little bit of risk' associated with Pearce's return.
"He's going to be a little bit sore, and there's some concerns around more the wound and that type of thing," Longmuir told reporters last week.
"Given he's had surgery and had a plate put into the break, it's probably stronger than what it was."
Meanwhile, the news is not as positive for injury-prone Blues utility Zac Williams who has injured his hamstring.
The Wiradjuri man was substituted out of last Saturday's game against the Western Bulldogs with what was originally described by the Blues as 'hamstring tightness'.
The club has now confirmed a hamstring strain, which is likely to keep Williams out of action for at least the next match against North Melbourne on Sunday.
"(Williams) underwent scans which have confirmed a hamstring strain following the game against the Western Bulldogs," the Blues said in a statement.
"The club will work through a timeline of recovery over the next week."
His impending absence will be a blow for the Blues, as the former Greater Western Sydney player has been in strong form since he was switched from defence to the forward-line.
The 29-year-old has kicked 14 goals since being moved up forward against Sydney in Round 11, including a four-goal performance against the Gold Coast Suns.
With Williams set to miss, it could open the door for young small forward Jesse Motlop, who has been in strong form at VFL level across the past month.
