KURT Tippett's return to senior football with the Sydney Swans will have to wait at least another week after he suffered a cracked rib playing for the reserves on Saturday.
Sidelined since last year's semi-final victory over Carlton with ongoing knee tendonitis, Tippett's knee is now fine, with the big key forward kicking three goals in a half for the seconds.
But in a frustrating setback, scans have revealed the 26-year-old suffered a small crack to a rib late in the second term.
"Our plan was to play Kurt for the first half and he nearly got through unscathed, but unfortunately he copped a knee in a marking contest just before half-time,” Swans coach John Longmire said.
“Before that he looked in really good touch. He moved well, his marking was good and he was able to boot three goals.
"He won’t be available for selection this week, but at this early stage we’re hopeful that he could be available the following week.
“On a positive note, his knee has pulled up really well from the weekend’s hit-out and he will be able to keep ticking over with some running at training this week before we make a call on him returning next week."
In better news for the Swans, club great Adam Goodes is nearing closer to his return to the field after he trained strongly at the SCG on Tuesday.
Sidelined since round 13 last year, the dual Brownlow medallist participated in the entire session and looked strong, taking a number of clean grabs and moving well around the ground.
If Tippett had been fit to play, there were queries around whether the Swans could risk picking Tippett and Goodes to return in the same team after such extended layoffs.
Tippett's setback, however, could open the door for Goodes' return, while there is also a suggestion the four-time All Australian could instead turn out for the reserves in Mackay.
"Adam trained well today," Longmire said. "So from here we will monitor his recovery and see how he performs at training on Thursday before making a decision on if and where he may play.”
Fellow forward Sam Reid is also making good progress in his recovery from an Achilles injury and could be an outside chance of returning this week if he trains well on Thursday.
