Ballarat SC centre-forward Justin Whitcher may find himself back in the senior team this week for the side's Football Victoria state league five west clash with Balmoral.
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The Red's leading goal scorer hasn't suited-up for the club since its round 11 encounter with Maribyrnong Greens before suffering a groin injury.
He made a return to the field for the club's reserves side last week, playing 20 minutes in a win against Wyndham.
Ballarat head coach Jamie Winton said Whitcher was still another two weeks away from being fit, but he may be called upon to provide minutes in the absence of key players.
The club will be without Declan Hennessy and Jack Mirabella in the match with Balmoral. Haidar Al Saffar remains unlikely to play with a foot injury, and captain Luke Swards (ankle) and Liam Haintz (toe) are both uncertainties.
Haintz's injury is latest setback in what has been a frustrating year. After missing time earlier in the year with ankle injuries, he is now recuperating after a hard tackle damaged his toe two weeks ago.
"We'll pull a few players up from reserves again, they didn't miss a beat on the weekend and hopefully they can play well again," Winton said.
"We've had to mix and match our centre-forward set-up and without Justin it's been difficult. Hopefully we can get him back in his rich vain of form."
Whitcher had been in red-hot form prior to his injury, kicking 10 goals for the team in 11 rounds of action.