In good news to come out of the nib Medical Room this week, Tom Hawkins likely to return for the Cats’ clash with the Swans this Saturday.

Club physio Mike Snelling explained Hawkins’ back problem has caused him a great deal of stiffness throughout the year.

The club’s medical team are working to improve his condition in the hope he has some good football ahead of him come September.
“He’s made big improvements and he’s had a rest over the weekend.

“We feel it was pertinent that he didn’t travel to Perth, the travel might have made him a little worse.

“He has pulled up really well and had a good mental break and he feels really good about it.

Steven Motlop who was subbed out halfway through last week’s game in Perth with a hamstring complaint looks set to play this week after training with the main group on Tuesday morning.

“That was a really conservative decision.

“Mots came to us before half time and said he had some hamstring tightness, a little nervy feeling.

“He was much the same after half time so we decided to shut him down for that game.”

Lincoln McCarthy returned to main training for the first time yesterday after being sidelined since late last year with a stress fracture of the navicular bone.

“He’s looking great, he’s still obviously got a fair bit of load to put through his foot before we get him back playing but his aim realistically is that we get him back for a full pre-season next season.

“This is all part of that and he’s enjoying himself and he looked good out there today.”

Ruckman Hamish McIntosh has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after spending the year battling knee, Achilles tendon and ankle injuries.

“He’s had a year that he’d prefer to forget obviously, his ankle is still a little bit sore after his surgery.

“We are still obviously working towards getting that right and making sure that prior to the end of the season we get him back running so that he can go and have a break and then prepare for a full pre-season next year.”

To watch the full Medical Report on Cats TV, click on the video above.