Exciting forward Liam Ryan will be nursed through the next three to four weeks before stepping up his program for a return to play, possibly as early as the round 11 game against Essendon at Optus Stadium.

Ryan was a surprise omission from the team that defeated Collingwood last Friday night after pulling up with shin soreness from training last Tuesday.

He will have a period where he will be off his legs as the club’s medical staff plots his return to action.

“The good news with Liam is that it is a bone stress injury and not a fracture to that shin area,” said Craig Vozzo, General Manager, football. “Unfortunately, with these types of injuries, it means time off legs, so that is going to probably be a 3-4 week really light period and then a build into play.

“We are probably looking at a return to play in about 6-8 weeks.”

Further good news is that 2018 premiership captain Shannon Hurn and lively forward Jack Petruccelle, could be available for the RAC Derby in 12 days’ time.

Hurn suffered a soleus strain early in the game against the Western Bulldogs while Petruccelle, who kicked four goals in that match, was unavailable for the Collingwood contest because of a low-grade hamstring strain sustained at training last Tuesday night.

“Petch was a lower grade hamstring and he has done a lot of the rehab running,” Vozzo continued. “Hopefully we will have sign off this week. It won’t be this week that he plays, but maybe next week.

“Shannon is recovering well. He’s in the same rehab program as Jack Petruccelle and hopefully he will have sign off this week and all being well he will be available the following week.

“JK (Josh Kennedy, who suffered a kick to the ankle against Collingwood) played out the game, but with some discomfort which he has carried through into the week.

“He will go through some testing at main training and depending on how he covers later in the week we will make a decision on his availability.

“Josh (Rotham) and Tom (Cole), that was a really nasty looking incident late in the game. Fortunately they have recovered quite well, they have had light starts to the week.

“Both have had significant stitching, but no concussion. With those lighter starts to the week, they will have increased training loads tomorrow night and they will be a decision going into the weekend.”

Brendon Ah Chee, who had swelling on the knee after training last week, should be available this week while star midfielders Luke Shuey (hamstring surgery) and Elliot Yeo (groin) are making good progress.

“Luke is off the crutches, just recovering from the surgery itself,” Vozzo added. “It is normally a 2-3 week phase. We are going to take our time with Luke and that means he will be available sometime after the bye.

“Elliot is still in that phase of building his fitness. Again we are taking a conservative approach to getting him right for the long term. Like Luke we haven’t set a date for his return to play, but it is likely to be after the bye.”

Injury List