Sydney Swans superstar Isaac Heeney set to return from injury against West Coast Eagles

Sydney are set to add another forward threat to Dean Cox’s stacked attack, with superstar Isaac Heeney firming to make his return from injury against West Coast on Saturday.

Heeney missed the Swans’ round two loss to Hawthorn with a hamstring concern but trained fully over the weekend as the club enjoyed an early-season bye.

The 29-year-old is expected to be Sydney’s sole inclusion for the clash at Optus Stadium, where they enjoy an unblemished 3-0 record against the Eagles, with Cox declaring on Wednesday he had ticked all the boxes so far.

Heeney was set to be tested at the club’s main training on ahead of the team’s trip to Perth on Thursday, but Cox was confident he would be available.

“He’s done everything through last week and over the weekend. He’s got one more session. Hopefully he gets through that and he’ll be on the plane,” Cox told SEN.

Heeney has kicked 14 goals across his past five games against West Coast and looms as another major headache for the Eagles alongside tall trio Charlie Curnow, Joel Amartey and Logan McDonald, as well as milestone man Tom Papley.

Curnow, who has previously dined out on West Coast with hauls of nine and 10 goals at Carlton, has faced criticism in his first three games at Sydney.

But Papley compared the spearhead’s slow start to that of former teammate and AFL legend Lance Franklin after his move from Hawthorn in 2013, saying he had no doubt Curnow would find his feet.

You look over the years and not many players come in and dominate straight away,” Papley said on Wednesday.

“You look at Buddy, he took a bit to get going, but it’s not about marks, kicks and handballs.

“As long as he can compete and bring the ball to ground and the goals, that will come eventually. He’s working hard, doing everything he can.

“If people keep writing him off, I’m sure he’ll prove them wrong.”

It comes as West Coast will be without experienced pair Elliot Yeo (groin) and Deven Robertson (suspended), while young forward Jacob Newton will also miss with a foot injury.