Reigning Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale continues his push to be ready for selection in the Lions top four clash with Melbourne on Friday night.   

Neale travelled with the team down to Sydney on Thursday and Senior Coach Chris Fagan said he’d be given the opportunity to prove his fitness at the Captains Run before a final call was made on his return to the side.   

“We’re taking an extended squad down there because we played on Saturday last week and we play on Friday this week, we’ve only got six days to train. 

“Blokes like Lachie Neale and Ryan Lester are in calculations, but they need to train this afternoon and get the final nod. 

“It’s a big game, first versus third. It’s good that we are going to have the opportunity to be tested by them.” 

Neale hasn’t played since the Lions round six win over Carlton when he suffered a syndesmosis injury that saw him undergo ankle surgery.  

The prolific ball-winner has made an impressive recovery pushing for selection weeks earlier than originally expected.  

Defender Ryan Lester is also a chance to play on Friday night having recovered earlier than expected from a hamstring injury he suffered in the Lions round nine win over the Gold Coast SUNS. 

The Lions take on Melbourne at GIANT Stadium on Friday night at 7.50pm and you can catch all the action live on the Seven network, Fox and Kayo.