FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has praised Matt de Boer’s mental toughness and touted the 24-year-old as a chance to return against Melbourne on Saturday.

De Boer has been battling a medial knee injury for the past month but has come into consideration after having 20 possessions for Peel Thunder in the WAFL last weekend.

Lyon told 6PR on Monday night that de Boer is part of the club’s leadership group because “he’s so mentally tough”.

“He’s helped build this club from 2008…he was a fierce young kid who we value his competitiveness and he’d certainly come into consideration,” Lyon said.

Lyon also rated experienced defender Luke McPharlin a strong chance to return from a knee injury.