With several players in doubt and Mathew Stokes out suspended, youngster Nathan Djerrkura is in line to make his debut for Geelong on Sunday against Essendon.

Drafted in 2006, the 20-year-old has played a handful of games for the club in the NAB Cup but has been unable to force his way into the powerful Cats line-up, with injuries also holding him back.

But with Stokes to definitely miss after copping a one-match ban for striking Western Bulldogs tagger Liam Picken, and Darren Milburn (ankle), Ryan Gamble (concussion) and Shannon Byrnes (hamstring) in doubt, Djerrkura may be set for his first game.

"Nathan we would love to give the opportunity to play," said Geelong coach Mark Thompson on Thursday. "The last three weeks in the VFL he's performed really well and looks like a league player so this is probably his great opportunity to play."

Thompson rated both Milburn and Byrnes '90 percent chances' to play provided they get through training on Thursday afternoon and he also said Gamble will be considered if he also trains without incident and is subsequently cleared by medical staff.

And there is also positive news with ruckman Brad Ottens, who has endured a slower-than-expected recovery after undergoing knee surgery following the Round 2 clash with Richmond.

Ottens, who missed the first nine rounds in 2008 as he recovered from knee surgery in the previous off-season, was initially expected to have returned by now but had to have a minor arthroscope in late April.

Thompson expects Ottens, who he says has finally 'turned the corner' in his recovery, to resume running this week with a view to a possible return in either Round 12 against Fremantle in Perth (June 21) or Round 13 against Port Adelaide at home (June 28).

Meanwhile, the AFL is set to decide within days whether to switch the Round 14 battle between Geelong and St Kilda from Etihad Stadium to the MCG, with many tipping both could still be unbeaten at that point, but Thompson isn't concerned about where the game is played.

"From a players' and football department's point of view, we don't care where it's played, we (would) play it at Etihad Stadium or we (would) play it at the MCG," he added.

"I think from the fans, getting to see the contest which is going to be built up as one of the good games of the year, (we've) probably got to try and get as many