The prognosis is looking positive for many Cats this week in the nib Medical Room.

James Kelly is set to make his return to the AFL this week after a stint on the sidelines with a calf injury.

“We were always going to be conservative with him. He has done some running since then and things have got better so he will be into training this week and he’ll be a test at the end of the week and hopefully he should be available,” Cats physio Mike Snelling told Cats TV.

After knocking on the door of the VFL, Nathan Vardy (groin) is also set to make a return this week and is likely to play a forward role once he is back on the park.

Shane Kersten (hamstring) and Ryan Bathie (ribs) are back into full training and if they pass a test this week, will be lining up in the VFL.
George Burbury’s long-term foot injury, a navicular stress fracture, is also well on the mend.

“He’s back in full training so hopefully he will train all of this week, get a good training session on the weekend under his belt and we will test him for next week,” Snelling said.

Jesse Stringer’s hamstring strain is being managed conservatively.

“It’s probably a little bit of a case of when he’s ready add another week and we’re probably at that stage. So he will do full training this week, tick off on his speed of running and then hopefully he will be available next week.”

Josh Walker’s significant AC joint sprain to his shoulder means he may face a little longer on the sidelines.

“He’s done everything brilliantly with his rehab. He will have to train all of this week and tick off on some contact on that shoulder.”

Dawson Simpson also isn’t far away from playing VFL football after a long-term back injury and Josh Cowan and Hamish McIntosh who have become good friends in the rehab room are both on track with their achilles injuries.

“Josh is a really good story, as we all know he went overseas and had surgery and he has progressed brilliantly this time. We don’t foresee any further problems with him so he’s a few weeks away.

“Hamish McIntosh unfortunately has had an achilles irritation on top of his knee issues we already knew about.

“He’s progressing at the same rate as Josh now, so they both just need a few weeks of training under their belt and hopefully they won’t be too far away after that,” Snelling said.

Youngster Lincoln McCarthy has been given a break from the club while his stress fracture in his foot heals.

“In that three month window he has been able to sneak off overseas for a six week tour with his girlfriend which is good for his head and it will be a great experience for him. Hopefully when he gets back we will scan him and his foot has improved again,” Snelling said.

The Cats round 5 opponent the Western Bulldogs yesterday confirmed midfielder Ryan Griffen will miss this weekend’s game with a shoulder injury.

Griffen endured a sprain to his SC joint during their clash with Adelaide on Sunday.

The Bulldogs are also missing Tom Williams who suffered another minor setback, experiencing tightness in his adductor during a VFL game on Sunday.

Forward star Shaun Higgins underwent surgery on his injured foot last week and will miss the remainder of the seaso