Nick Suban set to replace injured Hayden - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Nick Suban set to replace injured Hayden

Justin Chadwick 19/07/2011 03:16:19 PM Comments (0)

Fremantle defender Nick Suban is almost certain to earn an AFL recall for Sunday's western derby clash with West Coast after fellow backman Roger Hayden's season was brought to a crashing halt.

Hayden will undergo surgery this week after fracturing the fibula in his right leg during Sunday's 11-point win over Sydney.

Barring a remarkable recovery, the 30-year-old will struggle to regain fitness and form in time for the Dockers' finals campaign, dealing Fremantle yet another cruel injury blow.

Suban, who suffered a similar fracture to his right leg in round four, is set to take Hayden's place against the Eagles after making a successful return for WAFL side Claremont in last week's Foxtel Cup semi-final win over SANFL side Port Adelaide.

The 21-year-old tallied seven kicks and three handballs in a solid effort across half-back and declared after the game he was ready for an AFL recall.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey has rated ruckman Aaron Sandilands a 50-50 chance to return from a toe injury, saying the three-times All-Australian was keen to prove his fitness at training this week.

"Aaron's a guy that I'm sure will be pushing the fitness and strength guys to (allow him to) train and see how it is and see if he's got the opportunity to play this week," Harvey said.

But while Sandilands and midfielder David Mundy are eyeing off returns in the not-too-distant future, Harvey ruled a line through Anthony Morabito playing again this year after the youngster damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during pre-season training in December.

"We are probably going to be more conservative with him," Harvey told Perth radio station 6PR.

"In the end, we'll probably give him 15 or 16 months and make sure he's right and there's no recurrence."

West Coast assistant coach David Teague said Eagles' midfielder Daniel Kerr, who missed last week's loss to St Kilda due to general soreness, would be further assessed this week at training.

"We are going to have to wait and see," Teague told radio 6PR.

"He's sort of been a 50-50 project all year at this time of the week.

"He did a 1km run (on Monday) to keep his fitness up.

"(His chances) depend on later in the week whether he's getting to the top-end speed, but we're hoping. He's pretty keen to play against Fremantle."

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