GIANTS defender Jeremy Finlayson will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to a lateral collateral ligament sprain in his right knee.

The injury occurred in Saturday’s NEAFL practice match but no operation is required.

Finlayson is yet to make his AFL debut but looked comfortable playing as a backman in his first NAB Challenge match against Western Bulldogs in Canberra a fortnight ago.

In other injury news, midfielder Stephen Coniglio (hamstring) could return to the GIANTS line up for the third NAB Challenge match against Brisbane on Sunday.

Forward Devon Smith (knee) will have to get through Thursday’s main training session to be named for his first NAB Challenge match while ruckman Shane Mumford was cleared of any serious damage to his ankle over the weekend.

Mumford sat out the second half of the NAB Challenge match against the Swans with an ankle injury and is a chance to play this weekend on the Gold Coast.

Meanwhile defender Nick Haynes has rejoined the main training group following groin surgery in December while fellow backman Tim Mohr is also training well after a knee reconstruction last May.

Both defenders are expected to return to playing in the early rounds of the season.

Young midfielder Paul Ahern has returned to the club following a knee reconstruction last month with the 19-year old in good spirits ahead of commencing his rehabilitation program.