Sydney’s injury outlook continues to improve with hard nut Luke Parker confident of a preliminary final return from a broken leg should the Swans make it that far.

John Longmire has had to deal with a steady stream of casualties late in the season but with premiership players Nick Smith and Kieren Jack pushing for selection against North Melbourne, and Parker ramping up his recovery, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

“I’ve had a few good running sessions over the last week but I’m probably not quite there (for this weekend),” Parker told AAP.

“I’m hoping to be available the week after, definitely.”

Parker, who received the AFL Players Association most courageous player award this week, had a plate and 10 screws inserted in his right leg after breaking a fibula in a Taylor Adams tackle in the round-20 clash against Collingwood.

The initial prognosis ruled the 22-year-old out for the season but scans following the frightening incident at least gave him hope of a return depending on how the Swans fared.

“It wasn’t a great feeling at the time. I thought I was going to sit up and see my leg hanging off sideways,” Parker said.

“I was just glad that it was intact.

“But it was positive to hear that I wasn’t ruled out for the season … it really gave me something to strive for.”

The loss of Lance Franklin and Sam Reid for the season will be difficult to cover but Parker says the Swans took a lot out of their performance in the nine-point qualifying final loss to Fremantle.

“There’s still a really positive vibe around the club,” he said.

“We thought we challenged the Dockers really strongly and in the end we were in with a chance to win the game.

“Unfortunately we didn’t finish as well as we could have on a few occasions … hopefully we can get the job done this week.”