RICHMOND forward Jack Riewoldt has been icing his ankle around the clock - including waking every three hours - to give himself the best chance of playing in this weekend's clash against Greater western Sydney.

Riewoldt is recovering from an injury he sustained in the first quarter of last weekend's loss to Fremantle.

The 22-year-old has barely trained this week, but he joined the main group at ME Bank Centre on Thursday morning.

Tiger coach Damien Hardwick said he was hopeful his star full-forward would play and his commitment to recovery was an inspiration for the younger players.

"I think he'll be fine," Hardwick said. "It's been a great lesson for our younger players — how much you put into (recovery).

"We're very, very confident he'll play, which is a credit to Jack and the work he's put in to make himself available for this game," Hardwick said.

Midfielder Nathan Foley, who missed last week's match with a leg injury, will come under consideration after training with the main group on Thursday morning.

"We're hopeful he'll get up for selection. He was a huge loss last week," Hardwick said.

But key defender Dylan Grimes will again sit out with hamstring injury.

Hardwick said Grimes might have been available to play this week but the club was holding him back until after the bye in round 13.

Grimes warmed up with the main group on Thursday morning before concentrating on running with small defender Steven Morris.

Hardwick said fellow key defender Kelvin Moore had played promisingly last week in his first match since 2010.

Moore has been laid low by a debilitating hip injury that required 10 operations.

He performed creditably in the midfield with the Coburg Tigers' reserves at the weekend.

Hardwick said key defender Alex Rance would play on potential GWS debutant and No.1 draft pick Jonathon Patton.

"He's a formidable-looking lad," Hardwick said of Patton. "You only had to watch see him at the draft camp — you've never seen anyone so ready to come into the AFL."
 
Rance last week lowered his colours against Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich, who kicked six goals in a match-winning performance, but Hardwick said he expected Rance to bounce back.
 
"He'll get back on the horse this week and, we've got no doubt, have a good game."