Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston was a notable absentee from training on Tuesday as he races against time to prove his fitness for Friday night’s AFL preliminary final against Fremantle.

Gunston injured his ankle in the qualifying final loss to West Coast, ruling him out of last weekend’s win over Adelaide at the MCG.

Gunston was the only Hawk to miss Tuesday’s session at Waverley.

The 23-year-old has kicked 53 goals in 23 games this year.