HAYDEN Ballantyne has been cleared to play this weekend by Fremantle's medical staff but whether coach Ross Lyon risks him against Port Adelaide remains to be seen.

The feisty small forward partially dislocated his shoulder in the Dockers 95-point win over Melbourne last Sunday and scans cleared him of any serious damage, but Lyon said he would go on gut feel despite assurances from his medical team.

"He’s basically been cleared to play," Lyon said.

"He’ll train today. All his strength’s fine, everything’s fine. He’s desperate to play and he’s been cleared to play by the doctors.

"He should play but it might come down to mine and the match committee’s gut feel. Is it the right thing even though he’s been cleared to play?

"It's a bit unusual but I think we can all appreciate why."

The Dockers have some injury concerns heading towards September.

They have won six of their last seven to clinch a top-four spot with two rounds to go and could still finish top-two but there are some key elements still missing.

Aaron Sandilands will have minor surgery on Thursday to correct his depressed cheekbone but should be back for round 23 against St Kilda.

Clancee Pearce and Luke McPharlin are on track for round 23 returns from calf issues.

But Garrick Ibbotson is becoming a headache for Lyon as he is set to miss a fourth straight week with Achilles soreness.

"Garrick is being slower than what we’d like, so he’s starting to get to the concerning stage, which is disappointing for Garrick and us," Lyon said.

"He's been a good player for us. He's been an important part of the back six."

Lyon acknowledged that it was disconcerting to have so many players returning from long lay offs heading into the finals series.    

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. It's certainly a consideration," Lyon said.

"You can't go in with players that are underdone.

"Luke's the longest, obviously he'll be eight weeks, that's a big call. But one that's quite unique."