Brisbane Lions captain Harris Andrews thinks room must be made for the club's best player as Hugh McCluggage eyes a return from injury against Sydney in the AFL qualifying final.
Classy midfielder and co-captain McCluggage has played just 13 games this season due to injuries but, ahead of Saturday's trip to the SCG, put his calf niggle to the test at Tuesday's training to push his case for a return against the Swans.
McCluggage's last game was in a loss to Carlton and the Lions have won three times since to enter the finals in top form.
But Andrews expects coach Chris Fagan to make a tough call and find space for last year's All-Australian and grand final star.
"He’s been an unbelievable footballer for us for a long period of time, so it’s a challenge for the coaches to fit everyone in, but it’s one that we’re happy to have and ultimately it’s going to make us a better team," Andrews said on Tuesday.
"He’s our best player. He’s had a bit of an interrupted year this year with injury and his body letting him down, but as a teammate, I’ve seen the work he’s put in, particularly over the last couple of weeks, to get himself right.
"I couldn’t be more confident that he’s going to come in and make a real impact."
Defenders Ty Gallop, Darcy Gardiner and Noah Answerth have all been terrific but could find themselves out of the side at McCluggage's expense.
Gallop's ability to pinch hit forward means Fagan could take from that part of the ground to include McCluggage.
But tall forward and West Coast recruit Oscar Allen kicked four majors in the side's last-start defeat of Collingwood to show his worth.
Andrews, who lauded McCluggage's defensive pressure and work rate off the ball said McCluggage's injury battle had hardened him.
"I’d be absolutely stoked to have him back out there and I imagine he probably will find his way back into the team," Andrews said.
