The pocket dynamo has suffered two fractured cheeks as well as a broken jaw over the past three seasons and will return after a smack into the face he copped from Geelong champion defender Corey Enright's knee three weeks ago.

Ballantyne, 28, looks set to return against the Eagles with rising expectations that star big man Aaron Sandilands will also resume after his recovery from broken ribs and a punctured lung he suffered in April against West Coast.

Top defender Michael Johnson is not considered so likely to resume after failing to train on Friday.

The experienced trio will all be closely monitored ahead of the derby, according to Dockers coach Ross Lyon.

Ballantyne was pushing for a return in Sunday's 350th outing for superstar Matthew Pavlich against Sydney in Perth.

But the 2014 All-Australian small forward was ruled out despite completing full training this week ahead of the big occasion for the Dockers' greatest ever player.

Lyon revealed in Perth on Friday that a conservative approach would apply to Ballantyne's return.

Lyon disclosed that discussions have been in motion on Ballantyne's match-day welfare, with his daredevil tackling and ferocious attack on opponents around the ball.

Ballantyne's latest facial injury though was incurred when his face and eye smashed into Enright's knee in a typically feisty tackle.

"We do talk about looking after yourself," Lyon said.

"I think those ones where he was the human cannonball. We want to look after him.

"He's given so much physically and mentally here."

Lyon tipped Ballantyne, Sandilands and Johnson to be assessed through next week approaching the 44th derby and Pavlich's last ahead of his retirement at the end of the season.

"Ballas was a real chance and he should be able to play next week," said Lyon.

"Michael Johnson's been training. He won't train today, so that probably puts him under pressure for next week.

"Aaron's progressing really well and he'll be a legitimate chance for next week."

Lyon said Ballantyne might make his comeback wearing a protective helmet, which the goal-shark has used in his training stints in the past week.

Ballantyne was injured in the Geelong match ahead of half-time, the same game in which top on-baller Michael Barlow suffered a serious shoulder injury in the opening centre-square collision of the second half.

Barlow was unable to continue while Ballantyne played out of the 17-point defeat with a badly swollen right eye and scans revealed another fracture in his cheek.

Lyon ruthlessly cut promising Rising Star nominee Connor Blakely for Sunday's showdown with the powerful Swans midfield brigade as well as veteran ruckman Jon Griffin.

Blakely was sent back to alignment unit Peel Thunder with instructions from Lyon to improve his disposal efficiency, especially by foot.

Blakely, 20, has racked up 244 possessions in his 12 outings this season at an average of 20 a game at an efficiency of 71 per cent, marginally shorter than ball magnet Lachie Neale's 73 per cent accuracy.

Blakely's foot disposal efficiency of 61.8 percent this season, is slightly better than captain David Mundy at 61.7 from his average of around 12 kicks a match through his injury=interrupted 13 outings.

Lyon recalled tough nut utility Matt de Boer indicating he could be handed an on-ball defensive run-with assignment on one of the Swans brilliant midfield play-makers Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Daniel Hannebery or Kieren Jack.

Neale, who heads the league for possessions with a hefty 560 at an average of 33 an outing, could be in for some close attention from gun Swans youngster Tom Mitchell.