Joel Selwood will give himself every chance to recover from finger surgery in just over a week and line up against Collingwood in Geelong’s do or die semi-final.

The Cats’ skipper injured the finger on his left hand during the club’s qualifying final clash with Port Adelaide, and had it operated on upon returning to Brisbane on Friday last week.

“Really the aim and objective of that operation was to stabilise his finger,” Cats GM of Football Simon Lloyd says.

“We all know Joel very well, we’ve seen him over many years, he’s been out training today which is exciting and we know what his mental fortitude is like, so he’ll give himself every opportunity to play this weekend.

“We’ll test it out fully come Friday this week.”

The Cats have also lost a potential replacement for Selwood should he not get up for Saturday’s match at the Gabba, with former Saint Jack Steven injuring his hamstring.

Steven was omitted from Geelong’s week one finals side, and participated in a non-selected scratch match against Richmond, with players from Port Adelaide topping up both sides. 

“Jack Steven played on the weekend in the game against Richmond and was playing very well but unfortunately had a small hamstring strain,” Lloyd says.

“That will rule him out for this week, it was unfortunate because Jack had been going so, so well.

“We’ll expect him to do his rehab and recover as quickly as he can.”

Sam Simpson made his return in the outing, having last played in Geelong's convincing Round 12 victory over the Power.

“He was coming back from a hamstring injury and played in the non-selected players game on the weekend,” Lloyd says.

“Sam ran really well, got through fine and his running numbers were really high.

“Sam amongst a number of others will put their hands up for selection this week.”