Reigning Kevin Sheedy Medallist Tim Taranto is set to return to the field this weekend after recovering from a shoulder reconstruction earlier in the year.

GIANTS Head of Medical Cullan Ball said Taranto had excelled in his recovery and will play at either NEAFL or AFL level this week.

“Tim’s done everything we could ask of him and he’s been exceptional,” Ball said.

“He just needs to train this week fully and do his contact work and we expect him to be available for this weekend’s game which is really exciting for everybody.”

Former co-captain Callan Ward is also a likely starter for Sunday’s clash with Port Adelaide after being a late withdrawal from last weekend’s match with soreness.

“Wardy’s obviously come back after a long layoff and played a couple of games in a short space of time,” Ball said.

"We were probably going to look after him at some stage in the next few weeks and he had a little bit of soreness in the back of his ankle so we just took the opportunity.

“He did a rehab run on the weekend and was fine so we expect him to train fully this week and be available.”

Meanwhile, young key defender Sam Taylor will be sidelined after back and ankle soreness caused by a bacterial infection.

“Sam was not feeling well towards the back end of the week (last week),” Ball said.

“He’s got septic arthritis which is in two joints, one in his pelvis and one in his ankle. He’s been quite unwell and obviously in a bit of pain.

“He’s in hospital at the moment on IV antibiotics. He’s under specialist care and they’re taking really good care of him.

“We’ll just see how he pulls up over the next couple of weeks."

Adam Kennedy is also set to return this weekend after missing last week with hamstring soreness.

“Kenners is just a little bit sore at the top of that hamstring tendon,” Ball said.

“These things are a little bit unpredictable so we’ll monitor him. He’s still in training and we’ll look after him a bit where we need to and see how he’s symptoms respond.

“He’s a test for this week and we’ll give him every opportunity.”

Westfund Rehab Report - July 7