Finally the injury plague that has engulfed the Gold Coast SUNS for the duration of the season is about to subside, with coach Rodney Eade predicting a plethora of players will be available for selection following the bye.



As many as eight players are expected to return from injury, although they won’t all be considered for senior selection with some requiring game time in the NEAFL before coming back into the senior line up.



Injuries can often be used as excuses for poor performances or for failing to meet expectations, but in the case of Gold Coast this season, they have decimated the list, forcing Eade to use a staggering 40 players across the opening eleven rounds. In contrast, ladder leaders Fremantle have used just 27 to highlight the importance of continuity in sustained performance.



In recent weeks and months, the bye has loomed as a place of solace for Eade and his playing group. An opportunity to recuperate and regroup after an extremely difficult start to 2015. With a handful of important players on the cusp of returning, including Gary Ablett, David Swallow, Alex Sexton, Steven May and Rory Thompson, the tide is well and truly turning in Gold Coast’s favour.



“There could be about eight players available, but they won’t all be for the seniors,” Eade told reporters following the seven-point loss to Fremantle after being quizzed on who would return after the week’s rest.



“If Ablett’s right he would, if he’s right. Steven May. Rory Thompson and Swallow will be available but they will more likely play in the reserves.



“Sexton will be right. Josh Glenn, Broughton and a couple of others in the reserves. It’s probably three or four max that will be available for senior selection.”



Jaeger O’Meara and Dion Prestia will not return again this season, but with Ablett, Swallow, Harley Bennell and Jack Martin set to return in the coming weeks, the depleted midfield department is about to be restocked with this influx of important returns.



Although, as has been the case all season long, returning players will be met with others heading for stints on the sidelines. In this case, utility Danny Stanley is set for at least a month out of the game after he sustained a medial ligament strain in his right knee in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Fremantle.