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 but he remained hopeful of recovering in time to take on the Dockers.

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

“I’m feeling a bit better and I definitely relished the week off and hopefully I can get up this week,” Gunston told Hawks TV.

“I’m confident in my mind.

“It’s healing pretty well and it’s healed a lot better over the last few days as well, so I’m hopeful that I’ll play.

“I haven’t really done too much running yet, so once I get that going I’m sure we’ll be right.”

If Gunston is passed fit to return, Ryan Schoenmakers would be the player most likely to be omitted.