Richmond expects star playmaker Shane Edwards to return for Saturday's crunch game against Collingwood at the MCG.

Edwards has missed the last five matches, after suffering a fractured leg against Carlton in Round 15.

"We've just got to make sure he gets through training," the Tigers’ coach Damien Hardwick said about Edwards' availability on Thursday morning.

"It's been a longer process than we would've liked but with the importance of the player we thought we'd take it pretty cautious with him.

"We look forward to welcoming him back if he gets through training today, which we think he will."

Edwards, who had his lower right leg heavily strapped, trained strongly with the main group at the Club's ME Centre training base at Punt Road Oval on Thursday.

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Hardwick said he was not fazed by Edwards' less than ideal preparation, with the midfielder not having the chance to play a lead-up game in the VFL.

"The fact of the matter is he hasn't been able to play," Hardwick said.

"We've got a fair amount of training into him, although not of a physical nature, so he's going to be a little underdone with regard to that but I think the quality of player he is we'll bring him straight back in if he's available to play."

Edwards was in career-best form before the leg injury struck, with many commentators believing he should be part of the All-Australian discussion.

The 26-year-old has averaged career-highs in disposals (19.9), contested possessions (10.5), inside 50s (3.4) and tackles (3.6) in 2015.

He would be an important inclusion as the sixth-placed Tigers try to lock down a finals spot.

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