Franklin, who is battling a back injury, was monitored closely by Sydney officials as he began some light kicking before moving onto running – done at about 80 per cent – and even minor contact with teammates.

Gary Rohan, Tom Mitchell and Ben McGlynn were also getting kilometres into their legs at training on Tuesday at the SCG. A decision will be made on Wednesday as to whether they return to the starting line-up for Sunday's game.

Cunningham kicked with Franklin at different times during training, and said the possible inclusion of the star forward as well as other returning players was a big boost.

"He [Franklin] has done a full session today and he looked pretty good out there, so it's a step in the right direction," Cunningham said.

"The eight-day break will definitely help us and a couple of the other injured boys had a run around today, which is good news for the team, and hopefully they pull up well later in the week."

Much has been made of Sydney's last two games of the season, against St Kilda and Gold Coast, who have won 10 games between them compared with the Swans' 14 victories.

A top-four spot is theirs to lose, but Cunningham refuted suggestions the Swans had all but locked up the position, which would give them a second chance should they lose in the first week of the finals.

"Definitely not," said Cunningham when asked if the Swans' remaining two games would be a walk in the park.

"There's no easy games in AFL footy. These days you have to be able to turn up every week and play good footy, no matter who you're against, and you get found out, so we've definitely got a couple of good games before finals."

Two weeks ago coach John Longmire lamented the efforts of midfielders Cunningham, Josh Kennedy and Jarrad McVeigh, who he said were "smashed" in the Swans' fourth-quarter capitulation and 32-point loss to Geelong in round 19.

Since then the trio have recorded 175 disposals between them at an average of 29 a game. Cunningham said the midfield group were proud of this, given Longmire's blunt assessment after their only loss in the past month.

"We weren't happy about it," Cunningham said of the group's performance in that defeat.

"It was a bit of a wake-up call, so it's good to be able to turn it around, but in saying that, we can't slow down now.

"It's getting to the pointy end of the season, where we need to start building and increasing and getting on top of those midfield roles, and we'll certainly be doing that this weekend."

Cunningham, 21, kicked a season-high three goals last week against cross-town rivals Greater Western Sydney, and is "pleased" with his own form, which is building to the same level as before the grand final last year.

"I wouldn't say I'm flying high, but the last month has been a lot better than the start of the year, so it's good to be finding some of the footy and starting to have an impact on our side," he said.

"I enjoy having an impact on the game, whether that's getting the footy and setting up goals or getting on the end of a few."