GEELONG’s long-term injury list will shorten again this weekend with ruckman-forward Nathan Vardy slated to return to action in the VFL.
Vardy is considered one of the great hopes for Geelong’s future, along with Daniel Menzel, despite both suffering a series of injury blows during their long tenure yet small game numbers.
The 24-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a training mishap in February 2014.
Geelong football manager Steve Hocking confirmed Vardy needed only to complete training sessions this week to be selected against Essendon at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.
Menzel now has two successful VFL games under his belt, while being carefully managed within games.
The approach to Vardy will be similar, with coach Chris Scott often reiterating the club took a cautious approach with all its long-term injured players.
Midfielder Josh Cowan also needs to complete this weeks training sessions to be available for the VFL game this weekend.
Cowan strained his hamstring against Collingwood in round six in his first AFL game in almost four years.
