Matthew Knights will face a tough selection dilemma over the coming weeks with a number of key players set to return from injury.

Most notably, Mark McVeigh’s problem ankle has improved dramtically and his return to senior football is close despite being ruled out of Sunday's blockbuster against St Kilda.

McVeigh re-injured his ankle after recieving a knock in Round 4 match against North Melbourne.

“Mark ran pain free for the first time on Monday, which was a real significant step forward as he has been running and jogging with pain,” Knights said.

“He was absolutely stoked to run without any pain, he had a big smile on his face.

“Progress is being made. He will not play this week but, like a few others, he is getting closer.”

Knights said he would allow McVeigh to decide whether a berth in the VFL is necessary before a senior return.

“I think the last time Mark came back he didn’t go through the VFL but he has missed a chunk of footy and this is the second phase of a chunk of footy,” he said.

“I’ll sit down with Mark, he is in the leadership group, he’ll be pretty straight up about if he should or shouldn’t play.""

Brent Prismall is edging closer to his first senior game of football for the Bombers after playing 60 minutes of football in the VFL last weekend against North Ballarat.

Despite pulling up well from the match, Knights said the club will progress slowly with the 22-year-old, gradually increasing his match-time before allowing him a senior berth.

“He has done a lot of training over the last eight weeks and got through (the game) okay which is really promising,” Knights said.

“I’ll sit down with him during the week and put a bit of a plan in place to see how we can progress things.

“It’s been a big operation and we have had to be patient with him but he really wants to get back into the senior side, he’s pretty keen. 

“No matter who you are I think it would be important to play some full matches in the VFL. If we can get his game time up to 80 or 90 minutes that’s a bonus but I think he would have to play full matches to be considered for the AFL.”

Young guns Kyle Reimers and Michael Hurley will also come into the selection mix within the next fortnight.

Hurley is likely to play VFL again this week while Reimers is expected to be available to play in the VFL next weekend.