MITCH Hannan has played just six games since 2018, spending time on the sidelines with both knee and groin injuries.

And while his impending return to the field is daunting, he’s confident he will settle in quickly come Sunday afternoon.

“You kind of forget what it’s like to be out and amongst the AFL environment again,” he said on the club’s Inside Melbourne podcast.

“There’s definitely a few nerves there, but I’m pretty confident that I’ve done quite a bit of running and physical contact and training over this lay off.

“So I’d like to think I’m in pretty good physical shape and can have an impact.”

The 26-year-old was supposed to make his comeback against Essendon last weekend, but after the postponement of the game, he was able to benefit from an intra-club match on the MCG.

“It’s hard not to go out there and have that level of competitiveness just be instilled in you from running out on the turf,” Hannan said.

“But it definitely gave me more confidence that I’m feeling fit and ready and raring to go whenever I get the opportunity for an AFL game.

“So another one under the belt and I’m feeling good.”

Hannan was named in Melbourne’s Round 3 side in place of Luke Jackson, as the Dees looked to trial a smaller forward line set up.

If the coaches opt to field the same team against the Cats, Hannan believes his side could have an exciting edge inside 50.

“I think with lacking a bit of height you sort of gain a bit of speed,” he said.

“There’s obviously benefits from a tall and a small.

“We’ve obviously got Tommy Mac (McDonald) down for a key forward and a bit of height, but the likes of (Bayley) Fritsch and (Jake) Melksham, and myself and Jayden (Hunt) and Kozzy (Pickett), I feel like are just as capable.”

Hear more insights from Hannan in the lead up to Round 4 on this week’s edition of Inside Melbourne.