Matthew Lloyd and James Hird successfully completed a 45-minute skills session earlier today in preparation for tomorrow night's crucial clash against the Western Bulldogs. Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy said it was good to have the two players return, however reiterated he originally didn't want to bring the two stars back in the same match. ""The specialists cleared them both to play so we have picked them. Although their fitness is very good, they both are not match conditioned so I would say they might spend a bit of time on the bench,"" Sheedy said.

Hird will play in a protective helmet that was designed especially to protect his facial fractures. The 29-year-old has trained in the helmet for the past three weeks to familiarise himself with it. Sheedy doesn't expect the Bomber skipper to dominate in his first match back. ""Well he is probably only going to be someone who is in the last seven possession getters - probably four to six possessions. If he does better than that he has played alright,"" Sheedy said.

Both Hird and Lloyd have been sidelined since the Round 6 match against Fremantle. In their absence the team has won five matches and lost two. ""That is a pretty good solid effort. We had our chance to beat the Kangaroos but we missed a couple of goals and they played pretty well and have been consistent. We weren't that far off - so it has been a pretty solid effort by the team. I think this year, our middle order players are growing as the season goes along. Danny Jacobs has played well, McVeigh is playing quite well, Heffernan is starting to play better each week and so is Blumfield. Mark Bolton is also playing well, which is good for him,"" the four-time premiership coach said.