3 minute read

Lance Franklin's hopes of returning from a hamstring injury are in the balance, with Sydney to make a late call on the eve of their AFL clash with Essendon.

Sydney will make a call on superstar Lance Franklin's availability later this week, while defender Nick Smith's AFL return has been delayed by another round of hamstring surgery .

The last-placed Swans, who are 1-6 and set to miss finals for the first time under coach John Longmire, have struggled with and without Franklin this season.

But the return of the four-time Coleman Medalist, who has missed two games with a minor hamstring strain, would only help their hopes of an upset against Essendon at the SCG on Friday night.

Franklin has often saved his best for the Bombers throughout a decorated 295-game career, averaging 4.4 goals per match against them.

"He'll train tomorrow (Wednesday night) and we'll just have to see how he pulls up from training," Swans' football manager Charlie Gardiner told the club website.

"We'll make a call as to whether he plays later in the week."

The news is not so good for reliable small defender Smith, who hasn't played since tweaking his hamstring tendon in round 21 of the 2018 AFL season.

Smith underwent surgery and resumed running earlier this year but has struggled to take the next step in his recovery.

The 30-year-old went under the knife on Tuesday.

"We are hoping the surgery will relieve some of the scar tissue," Gardiner said.

"Hopefully that will put his issues behind him and we can see him back on the park soon."

The Swans have sorely missed the steadying influence injured back-line generals Smith, Jarrad McVeigh and Heath Grundy.