Young Irishman Ciaran Byrne looks set to return from injury on Sunday.

Byrne is expected to line up for the Northern Blues when they take on Frankston in a curtain raiser at Etihad Stadium.

The 20-year-old hasn't played since suffering a hamstring strain at training after making his AFL debut in Round 3.

Matthew Dick could also return through the VFL after spending a week on the sidelines with a calf strain.

But it's unclear where vice-captain Michael Jamison will play.

Jamison had been sidelined with a calf injury since Round 4, but had a run with the Northern Blues last weekend.

Head of Football Andrew McKay says a decision is yet to be made on when Jamison will return to the senior side.

"Michael Jamison did quite well in the Northern Blues, obviously it's his first game in quite some time," McKay said.

"He's in full training this week and we'll assess whether we think he's got the fitness to step up to AFL level, but possibly we will put him in for the Gold Coast game – we'll decide that later in the week."

Meanwhile Dale Thomas is expected to be fully fit for the pre-season after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction.

Injury List:

Byrne (hamstring) test
Dick (calf) test
Giles (foot) indefinite
Judd (knee) retired
Sheehan (groin) 8 weeks
Thomas (shoulder) season
Warnock (shoulder) season