Colin Sylvia has to follow a strict set of guidelines before he returns to Fremantle, according to star Freo Dockers midfielder Nat Fyfe.
Fremantle made the decision to send Sylvia to train with WAFL club Peel Thunder on February 5, stating the 29-year-old was "not meeting the physical requirements for AFL football".
Sylvia has been training with Peel since February 9 and has played in their opening two WAFL pre-season matches.
Fyfe said the club was firm on what Sylvia needed to do to work his way back into the Fremantle fold.
"He's got a strict set of guidelines and a real pathway to try and get back to our footy club," Fyfe said.
"And he needs to deliver on those actions if he wants to continue his footy career.
"I believe he's played a couple of (WAFL) practice games and had a little bit of a niggle with injury. But basically until he's back at the club helping us win games of footy, he's got a lot of work to do."
Fyfe was speaking at Wednesday's captains' day in Melbourne. Fremantle's two-time best and fairest winner was standing in for Matthew Pavlich, who was absent with family duties.
Fyfe the captains' pick
Peel Thunder coach Cam Shepherd said last week the WAFL club had not received any word from Fremantle as to when Sylvia would be welcomed back to Freo.
Sylvia is expected to play in Peel's first match of the WAFL home and away season on Saturday against West Perth.
Fyfe reaffirmed the club's support for Ryan Crowley, who is waiting for confirmation of when his AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal hearing will be after testing positive to a banned substance last year.
"Ryan's doing well," Fyfe said of the experienced tagger.
"I think he's a little relieved now it's out in the public and that he can chat amongst his teammates and they can offer him support.
"Ryan is an extremely popular guy and we'll rally around him and help him through what is a pretty difficult time for him.”
Fyfe said the club would love to have Crowley available for selection but he was confident that Fremantle had enough depth to cover his role.
However, there are some injury concerns heading into the club's blockbuster round one clash with Port Adelaide.
Prepare for the Purple Haze
Zac Dawson (groin), Nick Suban (hamstring) and Alex Silvagni (hamstring) have already been ruled out of their season-opener.
Michael Barlow (ankle), Paul Duffield (ribs), Tendai Mzungu (hamstring soreness), Matt Taberner (Achilles soreness) and Hayden Ballantyne (calf) are all racing the clock to be fit to face Port.
Ross Lyon gives injury update
"They're a day by day proposition really," Fyfe said.
"It's just how they pull up. I would like to think they could all be out there round one helping us get over Port Adelaide."
Barlow is likely to play for Peel Thunder this weekend. Taberner and Duffield may also play in the WAFL to get some game time under their belts after missing the last two NAB Challenge matches.
