Harley Bennell could be a week away from a return to football, with senior coach Ross Lyon hopeful the 24-year-old will feature in Peel’s clash with East Perth on Saturday 15 July at Leederville Oval.

Bennell has missed more than a year with recurring calf injuries, with his most recent WAFL appearance coming at the start of the 2016 season.

“We’re aiming for him for next week if everything goes smoothly,” Lyon said.

“He’ll train fully today (Wednesday), Friday and we’ll aim for him to play with Peel next week.”

Lyon added that he expects Bennell to play more football at WAFL level than AFL level as the 2017 season comes to a close, highlighting his desire for him to play WAFL finials if Peel qualifies.

For Bennell to be eligible, he would need to play five of Peel’s remaining six games from his slated return in round 17.

Fremantle play seven home and away season games during this period, leaving the door open for Bennell’s debut in Freo colours in 2017.

“We’re not expecting miracles, there will be no judgement on form,” Lyon said.

“To roll him out, if he can build if he plays next week, he can build and maybe get a handful of senior games before the end of the season.

“If Peel are playing finals he could play Peel finals and then roll into a pre-season.

“That would really be a great scenario for Harley and us.”

Anticipation for Bennell's return is building within Freo's ranks, with small forward Michael Walters telling the media on Tuesday he was looking forward to seeing Bennell on the field.

“It is exciting for us being his teammates, but I’m assuming it would be more exciting for him,” Walters said.

“Being out for so long you want to play any sort of footy, so there’s no doubt he wants to get out there and play footy.

‘The boys here at Freo, we’re a brotherhood and there’s no doubt we’re going to be with our teammates through and through.

‘It will pretty exciting to go down and watch him and it will be nervous as well.

“He’s looking lean, strong and his skill work with the ball is first class.

“We need him to keep training hard.”