The Brisbane Lions are hopeful of having two key senior players available for selection to take on Essendon at The Gabba on Saturday night.

Experienced defender Darcy Gardiner looks set to be considered for his first game of 2023 after missing the opening eight rounds with an ankle injury.

Gardiner, who spent most of the off-season on the sidelines following surgery, has shown plenty of positive signs over the last month in his return to football.

“All things indicate Darcy is ready to play this weekend,” said Damien Austin, Lions Head of High Performance.

“He pulled up a bit sore from his first game in the VFL a couple of weeks ago, then we have just been making sure he has been right to continue on.”

In further good news for the Lions, former captain Dayne Zorko is also pushing his case to be fit to take on the Bombers, despite only missing one match with a hamstring strain.

Initially the 34-year-old was expected to miss up to three weeks after suffering the injury against Fremantle in Round 7, though has recovered well and is eyeing off an early return.

“Zorks is a test at the moment to get up this week or be right next week,” said Austin.

“He trained on Tuesday, we will get him to train on Thursday and get him to sprint and test in skills, then we will have a chat to him and see where he sits.

“He is keen to play, but you definitely need to take a sensible approach before players return.”

Fellow veteran Daniel Rich ran at training on Tuesday for the first time since straining his calf against Fremantle.

According to Austin, Rich is tracking well and will continue to progress his running ahead of a likely return in a fortnight.

In good news for the Club, young key tall Henry Smith successfully returned from a groin injury on the weekend, collecting 10 touches and kicking a goal in the Lions close win over Carlton in the VFL.

INJURY LIST

Dayne Zorko (hamstring) Test

Darcy Gardiner (ankle) Test

Daniel Rich (calf) 2 weeks

Carter Michael (quad) 3-4 Weeks