The biggest part of the Swans' puzzle is still missing, but two vital cogs in the red and white machine, Rohan and Mike Pyke, return to bolster the struggling grand finalists.

Their returns mean the Swans are missing only Lance Franklin and Ben McGlynn from their best 22. Optimism should be high, but there is an added sense of urgency at Driver Avenue with the club in the midst of a worrying form slump a month before the finals.

The importance of this game to the Swans' hopes of reclaiming a top-four berth was reflected by the decision to recall Rohan straight into the seniors for his first game in six weeks.

While the Swans are confident the speedster is not at added risk of re-tearing his hamstring, the temptation would have been there to ease him back through the reserves. It represents somewhat of a gamble as a recurrence would severely jeopardise his finals campaign.

"I am very excited to get back in the squad, five weeks out is a bit too long and I can't wait to get back out there with the boys on Friday night," Rohan said.

"Hopefully I can bring a bit of excitement and energy to the side as well as provide a bit of a target for the midfielders to kick to up forward.

"It has been quite frustrating but I have done it plenty of times before so I am now very glad to be back out there."

Rohan had been in arguably career-best form before his hamstring gave way against Port Adelaide, hurting opposition defences with his speed and bite around goals. His ability to pressure opposition defenders has also been sorely missed.

"It is terrific to have him back. He had a good year for us before he got injured, he was getting better and better," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"His pressure and defensive skills in our front half are outstanding and he is starting to hit the scoreboard and take some marks.

"It is going to be terrific having him run around in our front half as the speed and pressure he puts on the opposition."

The Swans are hopeful the extra week off for Pyke will help him overcome a nagging knee injury which has troubled him for months now. The Swans' premier ruckman has been subbed out in his past two games and has not played since the loss to West Coast three weeks ago.

Pyke will shoulder the bulk of the ruck duties, enabling to Kurt Tippett to spend more time inside the forward 50 to strengthen a forward line missing reigning Coleman medallist Franklin.

"We have given him a couple of weeks this time to get over his knee and he certainly felt better at training," Longmire said. "We hope that continues into the game and he is able to move with the freedom he was able to display earlier in the year.

"Mike gives us some extra flexibility and some structure in our ruck."

The Swans left out youngsters Toby Nankervis and Zak Jones.