Richmond club champion Dan Jackson will be tested in a tough training run on Saturday with a handful of teammates in an effort to break back into the Tigers' line-up should they qualify for finals.
Unavailable for Saturday night's must-win clash against the Sydney Swans after he was suspended for a late bump in the VFL, Jackson is racing the clock to prove his fitness for September.
The midfielder hasn't played at AFL level since round 17, with a hip injury ruling him out for three weeks before he returned in the VFL a fortnight ago.
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Coach Damien Hardwick said the timing of Jackson's suspension was frustrating, but the midfielder had not been certain to return at AFL level to face the Swans after a quiet fortnight in his comeback from injury.
"If we go further he's an important player for us," Hardwick said on Thursday.
"He is the sort of player that for mine is a finals type player – he's hard, he's tough and he wins his own contested ball.
"He'll have a training session on Saturday – a pretty tough one – and there'll be five or six guys who are around selection that will do that also.
"If we win this week, they'll be putting their hand up to play."
After contemplating retirement at the end of 2012, Jackson produced some career best football last season and played every game to win the Tigers' best and fairest.
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Hardwick said the 28-year-old's 2014 season had been disappointing "from an output point of view" after a poor preparation.
"He's had a horrible run with injury, he didn't have a preseason," Hardwick said.
"He probably hasn't got through a game without being injured and that's what happens unfortunately.
"It's a very ruthless profession we're in and if the preparation isn't there and you don't get the work into you, you can be chasing your tail the whole year.
"He's a very good player so we're making sure he gets back and has a really good year for us next year."
Captain Trent Cotchin backed Jackson to rebound in 2015 but said there was still plenty for him to fight for right now, with the Tigers certain to play finals if they beat the Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
"There's always hope there and you've got to make sure you're doing everything right to give yourself an opportunity," Cotchin told richmondfc.com.au.
"(His season) has been disappointing with injuries … but that happens to a lot of AFL players.
"I'm sure he'll review where he's at and have a really solid off-season and come back ready to fire in the pre-season."
