Vice-captain Stephen Coniglio and All Australian defender Sam Taylor are on track to return in Saturday’s blockbuster Sydney Derby should they pass fitness tests across this week.

Coniglio suffered an MCL injury in his knee in round five against the Saints and has missed the past two matches, but after returning to running last week, he’ll push his case to be selected during main training on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Taylor is in the final stages of the return-to-play protocols as he returns from a concussion sustained in the same match.

Taylor returns to contact training on Tuesday and at this stage is set to play against the Swans.

Defender Isaac Cumming returned successfully via the VFL on Friday afternoon, while ruck Braydon Preuss suffered an injury setback after straining his hamstring during warm-up ahead of Friday’s game.

“It’s disappointing for Braydon,” GIANTS Head of Medical James Rahme said.

“He has some tightness that he felt when jumping in the warm-up, so we pulled him out as a precaution, but subsequent scans have revealed a hamstring strain.

“He’ll return to running next week and is expected to miss around four weeks.”

Draftee Phoenix Gothard will return to the field in the VFL this week after missing the past two matches with illness.

 The GIANTS take on the Swans in Sydney Derby XXVII on Saturday at 1:45pm at the SCG while the VFL will play in a curtain-closer from 5:15pm.

Injury List – April 30