KEY POSITION Demon Harrison Petty has recovered strongly from successive rib knocks to keep himself in the frame to take on the Crows on Sunday afternoon.

Petty was subbed out of the Demons’ lineup for the second week running on Friday night, after receiving some more heavy hits against the Lions.

 “Unfortunately Harrison sustained two contact injuries throughout the game to his ribs,” High Performance Manager Selwyn Griffith says.

“He'd had some soreness in the previous game but was able to train fully to be fit for the game.

“He’s settled really well since the game on Friday night, and we’ll look to reassess his reintroduction to contact across the week to then assess his readiness to play next week.”

Michael Hibberd will again be in the selection mix after a successful return to play in a VFL inter-club hit-out on the weekend.

Hibberd last lined up in the senior side in Round 15 against Geelong, when he suffered a lacerated kidney early in the match.

“Our VFL team had a bye, so they played a scratch match against St Kilda, which Michael played a full game and got through successfully,” Griffith says.

“He'll train again fully this week and be available for selection.”

Hamstrung midfielder Clayton Oliver continues to hit the training track as he searches for the top speeds that will allow his return to match play.

“Clayton trained with the group today and continues to work closely with our performance and medical team to prepare himself to hit those final markers to be ready to perform,” Griffith says.

Tom McDonald (ankle) and Kye Turner (groin) are being seen more frequently in skills training as the duo close in on their respective returns.

“They've integrated into some skill work with the group while they're continuing to build their exposure to agility and some high intensity running,” Griffith says.

“They'll continue to build their volumes over the coming weeks as we get them closer to returning to performance.”

Bayley Fritsch has ditched his boot after getting the tick of approval from his surgeon.

“Bayley has been able to have his wound cleared post-surgically and he's progressed out of the boot that he was in as well as of today,” Griffith says.

“He'll look to progress through some calf and ankle strength programs that we have, which then will grade him into a return to run.”

Daniel Turner (wrist) has now passed the immediate phase of his post-surgery recovery and will is ready to commence his rehab proper.

“Daniel Turner had a scaphoid surgical intervention, his wounds had been cleared as well, which has allowed him to get back into running,” Griffith says.

“Unfortunately, based on that injury, he can't do any contact or high-level ball work for a number of weeks.

“He's going through a really individualised strength and power and reconditioning program which will have him prep for the end of the season.”