Lance Franklin is racing the clock to be ready for round one next weekend but Sydney captain Luke Parker backed the superstar forward to make the call on his own availability.

The Swans' match-winner has stepped up training in the past fortnight but is no certainty to face the Western Bulldogs on Saturday night.

Lance Franklin is on certainty to line up for Sydney in round one against the Western Bulldogs. Credit:AAP

Franklin did not feature in the JLT Series in the preseason after undergoing groin surgery in November but showed last year he could play at a high level with little training when he kicked 57 goals in 19 games and was named All Australian captain despite being injured in round one.

The Swans, however, will also be wary of taking any risks with Franklin so early in the season with football manager Charlie Gardiner saying last month he would "play when he is ready to play".