GEELONG speedster Nakia Cockatoo remains a chance to make a surprise return to the Cats' team for the preliminary final against Adelaide.

The explosive 20-year-old has not played since he re-injured his hamstring in round 19 after kicking three goals against Carlton in his first game back from injury.

He has not completed a game since round 11, having played just 15 minutes against the Eagles in round 13 and 65 minutes against Carlton in round 19.

However, Cockatoo has trained well in recent weeks and the Cats rate him as touch and go for Friday night's game, with Wednesday's training session expected to give the coaching staff a strong guide as to whether he is ready.

Cats coach Chris Scott said after the qualifying final that Geelong would need to consider whether there were any risks of Cockatoo sustaining a long-term injury if he returned during the finals.

However, he admitted the deeper the Cats went into the finals, the chances of Cockatoo being available for selection would improve.

The Cats are already likely to make one change to the line-up with Tom Lonergan expected to return from a bout of food poisoning.

Geelong would need to also weigh up the risk of taking Cockatoo into such a huge game given he has failed to complete his past two games.

He is yet to play in finals but he has played in three games for three wins against Adelaide.

Director of coaching Simon Lloyd told K-Rock on Friday that Cockatoo was getting close to selection.

Meanwhile young defender Jed Bews is expected to be re-signed soon, having cemented a spot in the Cats' back half this year.