Sydney coach John Longmire isn’t guaranteeing Adam Goodes will retain his place in the team with boom rookie Isaac Heeney and swingman Sam Reid both poised to return from injury for Saturday’s AFL clash with Melbourne.

Goodes, who spent the two previous rounds in the reserves, was reinstated to the senior side for last weekend’s match against Western Bulldogs when Heeney was rested with a minor ankle injury.

Playing primarily as a forward, the 35-year-old dual Brownlow Medallist kicked two goals and tallied 12 touches in a performance Longmire on Monday described as “okay.”

“He knows where he’s at Adam and he knows he needs to keep performing every week,” Longmire said.

Heeney and Reid, who pulled out of the selected side last weekend with calf soreness, can both play up forward.

Longmire said he expected Heeney to be available this week and Reid would be eligible for selection if he came through Thursday’s training session.

Asked if Goodes had done enough to retain his spot Longmire said: “We’ll make that decision during the week.”

Another player who Longmire said could come into contention this week is midfielder-forward Ben McGlynn, who is gradually gaining in match fitness after an injury-interrupted pre-season.

Saturday’s match pits Sydney against a Melbourne side coached by Longmire’s predecessor at the Swans, Paul Roos.

Although Melbourne were thumped by Fremantle on Sunday, Longmire remains convinced the Demons are on the up.

“There’s been some quality players come into their team from other clubs but also a player like Angus Brayshaw has come into the team, an early draft pick, has come straight in and looked at home,” Longmire said.

“Those additions mean that their depth has certainly improved and their quality of football has improved alongside.”

Sydney under Roos were also renowned for strengthening their list with shrewd recruiting from other clubs,

However, Longmire wasn’t keen to identify any other hallmarks of Roos’s coaching style and philosophy he might have brought across from the Swans.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Paul Roos, but I try and look at what we’re doing and hopefully get that right on a weekly basis,” Longmire said.

“I’m sure whatever Paul is doing at Melbourne is quality, because I’ve seen what he’s been able to do first hand.

“But I’ll leave that up to `Roosy’ and I’m sure he wants to leave the Swans up to me.”