Fremantle are preparing to unleash Harley Bennell for his long-awaited club debut in Sunday’s clash with Richmond at Domain Stadium.

Dockers officials are understood to have earmarked the game against the Tigers as the best remaining fixture for the 24-year-old to make his AFL comeback.

Bennell’s return looms as the Dockers consider ruling out reigning Doig medallist and prolific ball winner Lachie Neale for the rest of the season.

It is understood Neale has been playing sore for up to five weeks and has struggled to train fully.

The 24-year-old managed just nine disposals in Saturday’s humiliating 104-point loss to Sydney at the SCG — his lowest tally for three seasons.

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Camera Icon Harley Bennell Credit: Picture: Ian Munro

It is believed the midfielder will require surgery at the end of this season regardless after having operations to a knee, shoulder and wrist at the end of last year.

Bennell, 24, has now strung together four games with Peel in the WAFL.

He is coming off his best performance of the year, having kicked two goals from 14 disposals in Saturday’s win over Perth in Mandurah.

The former Gold Coast midfielder should be given the all-clear to face Richmond as long as he gets through training unscathed this week.

Persistent calf problems have prevented Bennell from playing an AFL game in almost two years. Fremantle officials are keen to give him a taste of the elite level before the end of the season in the interests of his mental wellbeing.

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The club’s final game at Domain Stadium looms as the best opportunity.

Fremantle finish their season on Sunday week against Essendon on Etihad Stadium’s hard surface where the impact on Bennell’s body could be an issue.

The Dockers are in need of positives after winning only two of their past 11 games.

Fremantle duo Brennan Cox and Ed Langdon have signed two-year contract extensions.

Cox, 19, has committed until the end of the 2020 season, while 21-year-old Langdon is now contracted until 2019.