Josh Gibson unlikely to make Ballarat debut from some weeks to come

The three-time AFL premiership player has been sidelined with soreness since a pre-season hit-out and despite being named in round three squad, is yet to feature for Ballarat this season.

Swans coach Joe Carmody told The Courier that the Hawthorn champion was unlikely to play until round eight or nine with the club preferring to take a cautious approach to its marquee recruit.

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A similar return date has been tipped for small-forward Andrew Hooper.

Hooper has not played since leaving the field during the Swans' season-opening win with a hamstring injury.

However, it's not all bad news for the Swans with Will Garner nearing a return.

Garner fractured a bone around his eye-socket during the round two loss to North Ballarat.

The Swan played out the game, though a scary post-match incident prompted a trip to the hospital.

"He played the game with it, then was having a shower that night, blew his nose and his eye nearly popped out," Carmody said. "Hopefully (he'll be back) this week, if not then the week after which will be handy.

"He's probably 50-50 for this week. He's done all the running and is back to contact training, which is a positive."

Carmody was hopeful Mitch Bishop would return to the line-up this weekend after a last-minute omission against Darley. Bishop pulled out on the morning of the game with Achilles soreness.