RICHMOND midfielder Shane Tuck is capable of having a valuable impact on the Tigers' stoppage set-ups as finals approach, with the clearance specialist set to return from a shoulder injury through the VFL this weekend.

Tuck has been sidelined since round seven, but he has pushed his case strongly in recent weeks and will play three quarters for Coburg on Sunday.

Coach Damien Hardwick said as stoppage numbers increased, Tuck was capable of having a big impact for the Tigers, whose clearance wins are already the most valuable in the League.  

Richmond has outscored its opposition by 224 points from stoppages this season (ranked No.1), with 31.7 per cent of its clearances resulting in scores (No.1).    

"We're looking forward to him having an impact in the later stages of the year … he's an important player for us when he's up and going," Hardwick said on Thursday.

"We always know the start of the year for 'Tucky' is slowest, but when the stoppage numbers increase as they have, that's when he comes to the fore.

"He's a proud player, he's a good player, and he'll fight his way back.

"At VFL level he's too good, so he'll show that on the weekend."

Tuck finished fourth in the Richmond best and fairest last season and polled 10 Brownlow Medal votes, signing a one-year contract extension for 2013.

Hardwick said the popular veteran was likely to decide on his future at the end of the season.

"I've had to talk him out of retirement the last two years," the coach said.

"It'll be an end if season decision with Shane, he'll make a decision and we'll work our way though that.

"He's a guy we certainly love having around the footy club."

While Tuck prepares to return through the VFL, defenders Troy Chaplin (knee) and David Astbury (hamstring) both pushed their cases at training on Thursday.

Midfielder Nick Vlastuin (shin soreness) also needed to pass a fitness test to be selected for Sunday's clash against St Kilda.

Hardwick said he rated Chaplin a 90 per cent chance to face the Saints after "dodging a bullet" with his troublesome knee.     

"It's an outstanding result for our guys and our medical team, who have worked incredibly hard to get him up," Hardwick said.

"People who have had knees before, your knee can slip and he had one of those episodes.

"With the scar tissue around, it obviously tweaked a little bit.
 
"He had minimal swelling, which is a great result, and we think we dodged a bullet there."

Richmond beat St Kilda by 17 points in round two, and Hardwick said the Saints' 3-9 record was not an accurate reflection of their ability.

"They beat a good side in Carlton, they lost on the last kick of the day against West Coast, and we just beat them last time," he said.