CHRIS Scott has stopped short of guaranteeing Gary Ablett's return for Friday night's clash against Greater Western Sydney with Daniel Menzel and Brandan Parfitt both ruled out.

The Geelong coach said Wednesday's main session would provide clarity on whether Ablett played or waited another nine days for round eight against Collingwood.

In the early parts of the session, Ablett moved freely and trained fully with teammates.



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"I won’t be able to hide my desire for him to play, I want him in the team but I don't want that to affect the process they (medical staff) work through," Scott said before training on Wednesday.

"We are closer (to a decision), we've got a session today that will tell us a fair bit.

"The more relevant question for us is whether we think that's the best course of action for the longer term and later on in the season.

"We are prepared to make a really conservative decision even if it does cost us in the game on the weekend and even if it cost us in the game last week (against Sydney). If that's the mistake we make we'll be comfortable with that.

"There's nine days post this game that gives you an extra level of comfort… but if we were going to take a completely risk-free approach with our players, they'd take a year to get over a hamstring."

Friday's Giants clash will be 25 days since Ablett's round three injury in Perth, while the Pies match marks 34 days.

A groin injection last week has ruled out Menzel for another match, Scott confident it will be only a short-term setback despite the forward being spotted limping on Wednesday.

"He had an injection that he had a reaction to which has meant he hasn't been able to train this week," Scott said.

"Potentially those things are really serious I'm told, so tests were undertaken to make sure there was no infection and that's the case. They expect it to turn around quickly but just not quick enough to play this week."

Parfitt's sparkling start to the season was brought to a halt last week as he withdrew late with a foot complaint.

After scans raised eyebrows for the Cats' medical staff, he was put on ice for the loss to Sydney and will miss again.

"The outlook post that is a little grey, but our medical staff don't think it's very serious and certainly not saying it's a long-term thing," Scott said.

Scott Selwood looks all but certain to return from concussion while George Horlin-Smith will be monitored after suffering a head knock in the first half of last week's loss to Sydney.

Superstar Patrick Dangerfield will play on Friday after playing "sore" in recent weeks.

Scott said Stewart Crameri and Charlie Constable – both searching for their first match for Geelong – would be in the squad to face the Giants.

Rhys Stanley is under pressure to retain his spot in the ruck, comprehensively beaten last week by Swan Callum Sinclair.

Scott said it was a conversation he had raised with the Cats' on-ball brigade.

"They're certainly not saying we're playing poorly in some areas around the ball and around the stoppages because of our ruckmen," he said.

"They are well and truly taking responsibility for that part of it. We also shouldn't sugarcoat the fact that we would like our ruckmen to be playing better.

Scott said Zac Smith and Wylie Buzza were both being "strongly considered" for a ruck berth after impressing in the VFL last week.

Meanwhile, Harry Taylor looks set to return next week, Scott left in two minds as to whether it would be at the MCG against Collingwood on Sunday or via the VFL.

Harry Taylor is a chance to return next week v Collingwood. But may have to return in VFL. In full training today. More soon on @AFLcomau pic.twitter.com/DbovkBZfbX — Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) May 2, 2018

"We think he is (ready to come in), but where he plays is probably the more relevant question," Scott said.

"Training's a big part of that, but we need to work through it a little bit more before we decide to bring him straight back into the AFL team. The likelihood is that he'll play football next weekend."