Hawthorn could welcome back Jarryd Roughead next week to the senior team, but it is unclear whether he will be ready for round one of the AFL season.

The 25-year-old ruckman and key forward is having a solid pre-season, but the Hawks are putting no timetable on his injury comeback.

Roughead’s season ended in round 12 last year when he ruptured his achilles tendon against Geelong.

It was a massive blow to the Hawks, who lost their preliminary final to Collingwood by only three points.

When fit, Roughead and Coleman Medallist Lance Franklin form the most formidable key forward double act in the AFL.

But coach Alastair Clarkson said there was no timetable for Roughead’s return.

“If he has a really good three weeks leading into round one, then we’d give it some consideration – so he’s not totally out of the mix,” Clarkson said.

“But we’d think it’s more unlikely than likely.”

Depending on where Hawthorn play in the pre-season competition next week, the Hawks might bring back Roughead to the senior side for a hitout.

Roughead and defender Stephen Gilham (knee) have played in some scratch matches against team-mates, but Clarkson noted that it would be a big step to play against other clubs.

“When you’re playing among yourselves, you can monitor things a little bit and just go a little bit more steady,” Clarkson said.

“But as soon as you throw them out against opposition teams, there’s no mercy.”

Xavier Ellis and Michael Osborne will play for VFL affiliates Box Hill this weekend.

The Hawks will field a strong side for Saturday night’s NAB Cup game against Melbourne, with Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis returning.

Lewis created headlines this week when he made some candid comments about their preliminary final heartbreak.

The midfielder said some team-mates had gone outside the game plan against the Magpies.

Inevitably, Clarkson was asked again about the preliminary final and again to no great surprise, the Hawks coach made it clear he is fed up with discussing the match.

“We’re hopeful we’ll learn from the experience and get on with it this year,” he said.

“I can’t want for the footy season to start, as I’m sure all the footy followers and the journalists can’t wait to actually talk about some football content, (rather) than some of the other rubbish that gets thrown around.”