Not only is Fremantle captain Nat Fyfe set for a return to AFL footy, he may also spend time up forward, according to senior coach Ross Lyon.

Fremantle face St Kilda on Sunday at Domain Stadium and Lyon is confident Fyfe will be ready to play his first game after three weeks of rest following Freo’s loss to Brisbane in round 12 at the Gabba.

“Nathan pushed to play last week and he trained but he wasn’t playing in the manner that we desired and he desired,” Lyon said.

“He’s really courageous, we know that, we’ve seen him play with a broken leg - sometimes you’ve got to save them from themselves and make a hard decision.

“He was prepared to play but we took it out of his hands. Our doctors made the final call and said he would benefit greatly from (a rest) so he’s really up and about and keen to play.

“Really, (it’s) 21 days without any contact, so you’d think he’d be in pretty good shape.”

With a group of versatile midfielders at his disposal, Lyon said he remained open to the idea of utilising Fyfe’s aerial ability to boost Freo’s forward line.

Fremantle marked 10 per cent of forward 50 entries last week against Geelong, the lowest in the AFL for round 14. 

“We wanted to get David Mundy back into the midfield when Nathan wasn’t there,” Lyon said.

“I think Mundy’s in really good midfield form and (Stephen) Hill, (Lachie) Neale and those guys and the move of Lachie Weller to the wing makes us more flexible.

“I think that does avail ourselves to let Nathan go forward, we know he’s an absolute strength down there in the air and a competitive beast.

“Just having him around will make (forwards) (Shane) Kersten, (Cam) McCarthy and everyone walk a bit taller, there’s no doubt about that.”

 
Fyfe in full flight at training on Wednesday

Lyon added that Aaron Sandilands is also ready to make his return for Fremantle.

Sandilands has missed the past four games with a hamstring injury, last playing for Freo against Carlton in round nine.

“We’re aiming for (Sandilands and Fyfe) to play, yes,” Lyon said.

“They hit all their markers and sports science have ticked them off so they’re obviously good enough to come straight back in and play. It’s looking likely.”

The return of Sandilands means Lyon faces a selection headache, with 19-year-old ruckman Sean Darcy shining on debut with 40 hitouts against Geelong.

Lyon said he will have to make the “hard decision” between going with a lone or dual ruckman on Sunday. 

“It’s something we’re going to have to look at if they’re both available and we’ve been down that path before,” Lyon said.

“We’ve liked the mobility of one (ruckman) but sometimes hard decisions have to be made in AFL footy and if we have to make a hard decision we will.”