The GIANTS look set to be bolstered by the return of vice-captain Josh Kelly with the midfielder “symptom free” ahead of Sunday’s round 23 clash against the Demons.

Kelly missed the Sydney Derby after suffering concussion at UNSW Canberra Oval in round 21 but has been progressing well.

“It’s now about building up their training loads which we always need to balance with these guys who have missed a bit of footy,” said GIANTS Head of Athletic Performance David Joyce.

“We don’t want to be pushing too hard to get the training loads back but at the same time we need to be able to tick all the boxes from a concussion perspective, but he’s reversed out of that well.

“He trained today, we expect him to train again on Thursday and put his hand up for selection.”

Co-captain Phil Davis has pulled up well after a bruising battle on Saturday night against the Swans. 

Davis came from the ground in the second quarter and only returned in a forward line role after half time.

“He’s done everything right,” Joyce said.

“He’s got a couple of quad corks and other things as well because he’s a combative sort of player but he’s showing signs of really nice recovery.

“He’s been in the pool today and we expect him to feature at the back end of the week and hopefully he can put his hand up for selection again.”

Despite not finishing the match due to a hamstring complaint, veteran Ryan Griffen has been cleared of serious damage and will face a fitness test later in the week.

“We need to see how he goes this week and if he’s feeling really good and he’s improved, and if we can get him through training and the like, he’ll feature this week but it certainly doesn’t look like a long term injury,” Joyce said.

Sam Reid has also recovered well from a minor hamstring injury and could return against the Demons. 

Exciting defender Zac Williams has recovered well from his first NEAFL match of the season with the coaching staff to decide later in the week whether the 23-year-old plays again in the NEAFL or lines up at the MCG.

The GIANTS look set to have a number of players available for selection for the first final in a fortnight’s time with Toby Greene, Matt de Boer, Brett Deledio, Aidan Corr, Sam Taylor and Matt Flynn all listed as one week on the Westfund Rehab List.

Rehab Group - August 21