Hawthorn remain unsure whether Lance Franklin will perform in Saturday’s enormous AFL match against Sydney, with captain Luke Hodge saying the star forward is even now groggy.

Franklin was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s regulation win in excess of Gold Coast following he fell ill the evening before.

He has now been out of action for six weeks, at first simply because of a hamstring injury.

Coach Alastair Clarkson admitted following the Suns game that Franklin’s continued absence was not excellent with the finals looming.

The Hawks, who are second, have massive exams against top rated side Sydney and West Coast (fifth) ahead of the finals.

“(To) talk to him today, he can’t wait to train tomorrow and get ready to go to Sydney,” Hodge mentioned.

“I have noticed him search far better, he nonetheless looks a minor bit groggy, but he just can’t wait for training.

“5 or 6 weeks for anybody is a soreness – he’s been `best on track’ the final 3 weeks.”

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans explained they are confident Franklin will have no trouble returning instantly to the AFL.

Evans extra Franklin had a light coaching session on Monday.

“If Lance is ready to come back, he’ll perform, do not worry about that,” Evans explained.

“We won’t be fearful about that.

“Ideally, we would have got a game into him (on Sunday) ahead of these two essential video games in the run-up to the finals.

“I’m sure he’ll be right as soon as he will get out there, any time he’s had a layoff in the previous, he’s generally come back and played fairly well.”

Franklin’s shock withdrawal from the Gold Coast game sparked predictable rumours, which Evans named “absolute rubbish”.

“He was sick and we’re hopeful he’ll play this week,” he said.

The Hawks really should also regain midfielder Sam Mitchell and Josh Gibson from injury after they missed the Gold Coast match.