Baxter Norton and Callum Kilpatrick set for TSL returns following injury lay-offs

Two of the TSL’s best young players are set to make their returns from injury in round 13.

Baxter Norton will make his long awaited return for Clarence this Saturday. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Clarence and North Hobart are set to be bolstered by the returns of two big names for their respective TSL clashes on Saturday.

The second-place Roos will face Glenorchy at KGV Oval with midfielder Baxter Norton set to play his first game since round three.

The vice-captain has been missing with a shoulder injury and while he wasn’t originally set to return until round 14, Clarence coach Peter Ryan confirmed he would suit-up a week early.

“We are looking forward to getting him back in to the side but it’ll probably take him a couple of weeks to get back into the groove of footy,” Ryan said.

After losing a number of players this week, including midfielder Jack Preshaw, Ryan said the decision to bring Norton straight back into the senior line-up was somewhat taken out of their hands.

“We did speak about it (returning via the development league) as a coaching group,” he said.

“We’ve had a couple of players go out this week, so we thought we’ll bring him in and throw him to the wolves, so to speak.

“Jack Preshaw’s just got a bit of a stinger in his shoulder, so he’ll miss this week and probably next.”

Callum Kilpatrick (left) will also return for North Hobart. Picture: Linda Higginson

Clarence will also welcome back Blake Harper, Max Mapley, Max Geappen and Daniel Cooney for the clash while North Hobart is also set to unleash one of its best players against Launceston.

Midfielder Callum Kilpatrick hasn’t featured in the Demons line-up following the round five match against Lauderdale but will be a major inclusion in what shapes as North’s biggest chance to break their 0-10 start to the season.

It isn’t all good news on the injury front however, with Adam Bester’s side forced into seven other changes due to both injuries and suspension.