\n Will Day is shaping to return from a stress fracture in his foot against Carlton on Thursday night\n <\/p>\n
Will Day in action during the R2 match between Hawthorn and Carlton at the MCG on March 20, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n
HAWTHORN star Will Day has been medically cleared to return after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, but key forward Mabior Chol is no guarantee to return against Carlton on Thursday night. <\/p>\n
Day underwent a scan on his foot last Friday that ticked him off a long rehabilitation block, after reintegrating back into full training this month.<\/p>\n
The 2023 Peter Crimmins Medallist hasn\u2019t played since round three and only played four games this year after a stress fracture was discovered in the navicular bone of his right foot<\/a> ahead of Gather Round.<\/p>\n Will Day after Hawthorn’s match against West Coast in R7, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n Day has been targeting round 20 for months<\/a> and will now be available to face the Blues at the MCG \u2013 barring any setbacks at training this week \u2013 and get five games in before September.<\/p>\n Hawthorn still needs to make a decision on his return and could consider a Hayden Young move, after the Fremantle star resumed his season after three months out as the sub on Sunday.<\/p>\n Chol missed the 38-point win over Port Adelaide<\/a> due to a lingering groin issue and might need more to overcome the concern.<\/p>\n The Hawks opted to manage the spearhead with Mitch Lewis returning from a knee reconstruction after 378 days between AFL appearances.<\/p>\n Lewis was substituted out of the game in the third quarter, with Sam Mitchell conceding post-game that part of the reason was the five-day break into Thursday night.<\/p>\n Will Day (left) and Sam Mitchell celebrate a win during round three, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos<\/p>\n Finn Maginness will need to be replaced after the tagger suffered a lacerated kidney in the win over the Power<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 24-year-old reported stomach soreness in the rooms after the game and was taken to Launceston General before being transported to Royal Hobart Hospital for surgery on Saturday night.<\/p>\n Hawthorn GM Rob McCartney flew down on Sunday after returning to Melbourne with the team to provide support for the family.<\/p>\n