Star midfielder, Brent Stanton, will make his return from a quad injury this Friday night against Collingwood at the Dome if he pulls up well from training today.

 

Speaking to media today, Matthew Knights revealed the 22-year-old is likely to be the big ""in"" while Dustin Fletcher and Andrew Lovett will be rested.

 

""Fletcher won't play this week, he'll have a break, also Andrew Lovett won't play. He (Lovett) has played has played an extra game, having played in the Indigenous game against Adelaide, so we have taken their loads into account but all the other guys can play,"" Knights said.

 

""Stanton will come into the team definately if he gets through today, he just has to clear a few final hurdles.""

 

 

Knights said young key backmen Tayte Pears and Michael Hurley are both available for selection and said Bachar Houli might also return after playing well on Saturday.

 

""He (Houli) played quite well in the VFL last week, he just had to focus on a few areas of his game and he came through the game quite well,"" Knights said. 

 

The coach also revealed he supports having a player substitute for the regular season - as has been trialled this pre-season - and said he was excited by the prospect of playing the Pies for a place in the NAB Cup grandfinal.

 

""Our focus is Round 1 but we will be going out there to win on Friday night,"" he said.