Luckless Fremantle duo Zac Dawson and Anthony Morabito have had further injury setbacks, but Tendai Mzungu looms as a likely starter for the unbeaten Dockers in Friday night’s AFL clash against Richmond.

Neither Dawson nor Morabito have played a game yet this season for Fremantle.

In his first game back from groin trouble last weekend, key defender Dawson broke his thumb playing in the WAFL for Peel Thunder.

Morabito’s 2015 season is over without beginning due to bone bruising on his troublesome left knee.

Coach Ross Lyon is backing Dawson to press to play later this season, and for Morabito to battle through to give himself a chance in 2016.

“He’s really resilient and it’s a really tough period for Anthony but he is a really strong character,” Lyon said on Wednesday.

“… to put it into context, this is just a football injury.

“Zac’s surgery went really well. I can only tell you what the surgeon told our doctor and it could be four, it could be six, it could be eight.”

Fellow defender Lee Spurr remains in doubt to take on the Tigers after suffering a nasty cork during Saturday night’s win over Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

But the door looks set to open for the return of Mzungu to play just his second game of the AFL season.

He has played four WAFL games after starting off with a hamstring injury, but has been in outstanding form and his last outing was a best-on-ground showing.

However, that was back on May 16 as the WAFL had a bye two weeks ago and Mzungu was the travelling emergency in Adelaide last weekend.

“It’s not ideal but he’s a running machine and he is our best runner really if we are putting it all on the table,” Lyon said.

“There’s not many who can outrun him with us or in AFL footy.

“He’ll come in fresh and on the ground, if he comes in.”