Fremantle Dockers poised to welcome back star Hayden Young from hamstring injury

Fremantle could bolster their already stacked midfield against West Coast with Hayden Young on the cusp of an AFL return from a hamstring injury.

Young has not featured since their loss to Geelong in round one after playing through a hamstring injury, but is likely to be available for the derby, provided he gets through training this week.

After taking a cautious approach to his recovery, coach Justin Longmuir said Young was “ready to go.”

“He’s had the extra week in rehab, and by all reports, his session on Sunday was really strong, so we’re expecting him to return,” he told 7News.

“If we had pushed him, he could have played last week, so that leaves him in really good shape to play the minutes for us that we need him to.”

Small forward Michael Frederick could also suit up for what would be his first AFL game of the season as he recovers from a pre-season ankle injury.

It comes as Longmuir said he was still weighing up whether to play two rucks and bring in Mason Cox for a western derby debut following Sean Darcy’s concussion.

“That’s obviously been the strategy we’ve gone with over the last two years when we have the availability, so we’ll definitely look at it,” he said.

“It’s been well noted that Luke Jackson performed well in the second half, and with a couple of players returning, there’s going to be a few selection chats over our structure this week.”

Cox had another strong display for Peel despite their loss to Claremont, racking up 34 hitouts to go with 19 disposals and six inside 50s as Longmuir watched on from the sidelines.

“I don’t think there’s been any doubt whether he’s AFL-ready or not; it’s been more about the opportunity,” he said on AFL360.

Bailey Banfield has also entered protocols after picking uo a knock in the WAFL while Sam Sturt continues to make progress from a knee injury.

FREMANTLE INJURY LIST

Michael Frederick (ankle) test

Hayden Young (hamstring) test

Sean Darcy (concussion) 1 week

Bailey Banfield (concussion) 1 week

Sam Sturt (knee) TBA