Hawthorn will welcome back Josh Gibson for their blockbuster AFL clash with Sydney on Saturday week, with the defender declaring himself fit to play.

The match pits the flag favourites against the reigning premiers – with former Hawk Lance Franklin playing against the Hawks at the MCG for the first time.

With Sydney’s tall forwards powering the Swans to 12 straight wins, the timing of Gibson’s return could not be better.

Gibson’s availability coincides with Brian Lake’s four-week ban for his ugly choke-hold, making the returning defender all the more valuable.

It was against Sydney in round nine that Gibson suffered the injury, in an innocuous clash with Kurt Tippett.

Arriving late to a marking contest, Gibson winced with pain after attempting to spoil Tippett and tearing his pectoral muscle.

After 10 weeks in what he called “the land of rehab”, including surgery and a month in a sling, Gibson said he was overdue a return to Hawthorn’s line-up.

“I’m quite happy to go on record that the footy club’s been holding me back,” he said.

“I thought I was ready three weeks ago; the medicos thought a different thing.

“They’ve probably got my best interests at heart, but I could have definitely played against Adelaide (last round).”

Gibson, who won Hawthorn’s club champion award, is not the only Hawk who could return for the MCG clash.

Small defender Taylor Duryea and pacy wingmen Billy Hartung and Bradley Hill are on Hawthorn’s injury list as needing only to pass a fitness test to line up.

Hawthorn also have Cyril Rioli on track to return from a hamstring strain ahead of schedule and before a finals campaign.

On Sydney’s radar to return is Tippett, who has missed two matches, and Dan Hannebery, last sighted in round 13 when he suffered an ankle injury.

Both sides have this weekend off due to the split round.