Hawthorn stars Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge could play against Greater Western Sydney

HAWTHORN has not ruled out Lance Franklin and Luke Hodge lining up against GWS on Sunday.

HAWTHORN has not ruled out Lance Franklin and Luke Hodge lining up against GWS on Sunday.

Franklin left the field late in the Hawks' win against Carlton last Friday night after feeling tightness in his hamstring and didn't return.

Scans later revealed no significant damage but the Hawks have maintained they won't risk their star forward.

But the outlook improved today after Franklin trained strongly.

“The latest news is that Buddy ran today and ran OK,” Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans told the club website.

“We’re really pleased it’s a low grade injury and we’ll see where he gets to by the end of the week.

“Things are going well at this stage.”

And the Hawks could also be boosted by the return of Hodge, who has been missing since Round 6 with a knee injury.

“He’s travelling really well,” Evans said.

“He’s trained really strongly over the last three weeks and he’s just about ready to go.

“He’ll either play this week or next week, and we’ll make that decision at the end of this week.

“It’s going to be hard to hold Hodgey back.”

Evans said ruckman Max Bailey (wrist) was also close to a return in the VFL.