Talk of Lance Franklin’s availability for Hawthorn this weekend doesn’t concern Sydney defender Ted Richards who is preparing to face the Hawks’ superstar regardless of what anybody says.

Competition leaders Sydney take on the Hawks at the SCG on Saturday in a top-of-the-table AFL clash which has already sold out.

Franklin has been sidelined for six matches with what is believed to be a hamstring injury and the Hawthorn camp say they are confident he will make a return.

Richards was asked on Monday if he was preparing to line up against Franklin.

“Oh yeah … for sure. I played on him last time and I played on him last year as well. He’s an incredible player, so I’ll be doing my homework on him,” Richards said.

“If he’s playing, he’s playing. Either way, I’ve got a pretty big job ahead of me but that’s something for them to work out.”

Sydney are coming off a crushing 82-point victory over the Western Bulldogs while Hawthorn had a comfortable win over Gold Coast.