Johan-Franzen-10-26-13

The Rangers' Brian Boyle strips the puck from Johan Franzen, who has just two goals and five points in 13 games.

(The Associated Press)

DETROIT – Johan Franzen will be back in the lineup Tuesday when the Detroit Red Wings host the Winnipeg Jets (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

And he might be replacing a struggling Daniel Cleary in the lineup.

Franzen said he's been cleared to play after missing five of the past six games with an undisclosed upper-body injury or ailment. In his lone appearance during that time, Nov. 1 in Calgary, he left after two periods feeling nauseous.

“I just couldn’t play. I wasn’t ready,’’ Franzen said.

Asked why he thinks he’s ready to play now, Franzen said, “The way I’ve been practicing. Feeling better.’’

Franzen still won’t reveal his issue, saying he will when it’s 100 percent.

“I’ll tell you Monday,’’ he said. “I thought I could tell you today but I couldn’t.’’

He said it’s nothing he’s had before.

Franzen also laughed off speculation that he’s dealing with anxiety issues, something he had before he began his NHL career in 2005-06. He said that definitely is not the issue.

Cleary, meanwhile, has just one goal and two assists, along with a plus-1 rating, in 18 games. He was wearing a gray jersey in Monday’s practicing, usually reserved for players who are scratched the next game.

Coach Mike Babcock, however, said, “Well I wouldn’t speculate on anything until tomorrow comes.’’

Babcock said of Cleary, “For a guy of his hockey sense and his ability he’s got to be a factor every night and I don’t see that.’’

Cleary said he spoke to Babcock before practice.

“I just have to play better,’’ Cleary said.

Brendan Smith (shoulder) did not practice. He is eligible to come off of short-term injured reserve but Babcock said it doesn’t appear he’ll be ready to play Tuesday.

Jonathan Ericsson looks to be on schedule to return Friday from long-term IR.

“(Ericsson) is not allowed to play (Tuesday) and Smitty missed practice so he must not must not be allowed to play,’’ Babcock said. “We’d like to get him back.’’

Here are the lines and defense pairs they were skating with today:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Todd Bertuzzi

Johan Franzen-Darren Helm-Daniel Alfredsson

Tomas Tatar-Joakim Andersson-Mikael Samuelsson

Drew Miller-Luke Glendening-Justin Abdelkader

Skating in gray (healthy scratches): Daniel Cleary, Patrick Eaves, Jordin Tootoo

Injured: Stephen Weiss (groin)

Niklas Kronwall-Danny DeKeyser

Brian Lashoff-Jakub Kindl

Kyle Quincey-Xavier Ouellet

Jonathan Ericsson (IR, shoulder)

Not skating: Brendan Smith (IR, shoulder)

Jimmy Howard

Jonas Gustavsson