Richo ready to return
22/07/2008 4:20 PM
Matthew Richardson is set to return to action for Richmond against the Brisbane Lions at Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
The veteran forward, who's been rejuvenated as a midfielder this season, has been sidelined since the Tigers' Round 14 clash against Carlton when he tweaked a hamstring.
Senior coach Terry Wallace said the 33-year-old will be selected if he can make it safely through the week.
"He trained yesterday and he got through that session pretty well," Wallace said at Punt Road on Tuesday.
"He had a bit of a kick around today in what was basically a skill-based session, but he's got through a couple of solid sessions."
"He's been out over-and-above the time of a normal hamstring - it will be nearly four weeks before he'll set foot back onto the ground."
"Timing says that he should (return), but he's got to get through the week."
Asked about the selection prospects of midfielder Mark Coughlan who has played two games in the VFL for Coburg in his comeback from knee surgery and a chronic hamstring, Wallace said: "He needs to get a continuity of five or six games running just to find out exactly where he's at."
"Until you can trust your body to that degree, you don't know where it's going to take you."
"He's still a fair way off in playing form at the moment but that can come to hand pretty quick once you start playing regular footy," Wallace said.