The Brisbane Lions are confident that midfielder Daniel Rich can have an impact this Saturday against Fremantle despite missing the past eight weeks with a broken scapula.

While it’s probably natural that Rich will be a little rusty in his long-awaited return, Assistant Coach Adrian Fletcher says there are no concerns surrounding his fitness.

“The thing with broken bones is that once they’re healed, they’re healed,” Fletcher told lions.com.au

“When you do an upper body injury you don’t lose your fitness. Richy has still been able to run and has also been doing ball-work for the last two weeks to get that natural feel for the ball.

“So we expect he will be able to work hard and use his lethal left foot.

“(His inclusion) is definitely a huge boost for the team. Richy is one of our elite midfielders, and that area has been a weakness of ours so far this season.”

Like Rich, Matthew Leuenberger has recovered ahead of schedule from a badly dislocated thumb suffered in Round 9 against Carlton.

Having missed just the one match against Collingwood, Leuenberger shouldn’t have any trouble getting back into the swing of things.

“He did all the contact work this week and got through the pain threshold. So he has no problems at all,” Fletcher said.

Overshadowed by the returns of his higher-profiled teammates was first year sensation Sam Mayes, who has also been recalled after being afforded a short break.

Fletcher says it’s important to manage young players’ workloads during their first season at senior level.

“With young players, you generally play them for around five weeks and then give them a chance to rejuvenate again,” Fletcher said.

“We did that with Sammy, so he should be well rested and ready to go for the next five weeks.”