GEELONG forward Mitch Clark is on track for a Round 1 blue and white debut.

Clark, who retired from football to battle mental illness in April last year, is also on the return from a serious foot injury.

The 27-year-old joined the Cats from Melbourne in the off-season and is likely to spend most of his time in attack this season.

WILL YOU PICK MITCH CLARK ($155,200) IN YOUR SUPERCOACH LINE-UP?

Coach Chris Scott said Geelong was confident Clark would be ready for its opening game of the season against Hawthorn on Easter Monday.

“Yeah we do (think he will be ready to play Round 1). But I say it with some hesitation,” Scott said.

“It’s so far away.

“NAB (Cup) is March 1. AFL Round 1 is April 6 for us so it’s a long way away, which is good for Mitch because he is coming from a long way back.

“He has had a number of issues he has needed to overcome but all of the indications are that Round 1 is a pretty good target for Mitch.”

The 200cm key position player was barely spotted at training this morning, but is on an individual program.

A number of key Cats including Dawson Simpson, Hamish McIntosh, Jared Rivers and Daniel Menzel spent the two hour session going through a number of running exercises.

Lincoln McCarthy is also at least “a month or so” away from returning to the training track after the club found a stress reaction in his foot before Christmas.

Scott said Clark’s impact on the club has not just been limited to on-field.

“Mitch Clark has been a really good addition to our program,” Scott said.

“Not just what he can offer as a talent, but what he brings in terms of his knowledge of the game and his experience.

“He has added another dimension.”