Jayden Laverde is nearing a return from the shoulder injury that has sidelined him since the middle of last month.

The 20 year old has rejoined training, but is yet to join in contact work.

He’ll step up his program over the next few weeks and there are hopes he could return shortly after the VFL bye. 

“He’s about five and a half weeks into his recovery.  We’re really happy with the progress in his shoulder,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow said.

“He’s joining in training without contact at the moment, so he’s got a great running base behind him.

“We’re getting work into him in the gym.  It’s now just about building up his contact and his ability to take tackles.

“We’ll get a really good guide over the next couple of weeks, whether that’s after the VFL bye (early June), or thereabouts, when he can return.”

The VFL side’s first match after the bye is against Sandringham on June 12.

Nathan Grima missed last week’s match against St Kilda with a hip complaint.

The defender won’t play this weekend.

“We’ve had to keep Nathan off his feet this week.  Once the pain in his hip settles, we’ll start to build him back up again,” Crow said. 

“Nathan won’t be available this weekend.  We’re hoping his issue settles quickly and we can get him back up and going.” 

Courtenay Dempsey will be given every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the Dreamtime at the ‘G match, while Shaun McKernan is still recovering from a corked thigh he suffered against Sydney. 

“Shaun’s corky has been really slow to recover,” Crow said.

“He’s again in a battle to be ready for this weekend, so we’re hoping Shaun gets out and gets a good session in tomorrow to give himself a chance.”

 Aaron Francis has pulled up well following his VFL debut.

The first round draft pick clocked up 10 kilometres during the game and is set to play a full game this weekend.