Five Cats could return from injury this week to bolster Geelong’s lineup against Port Adelaide on Friday night.

It’ll be a tightly fought clash under lights on Friday night as the Cats’ travel to Adelaide off the back of a landslide 69-point victory over Essendon, while the Power gains confidence after two consecutive wins.

After suffering a corked thigh against West Coast two weeks ago, young ruckman Rhys Stanley is likely to be recovered to hit the field against the Power, along with fellow tall Mitch Clark (calf).

Coach Chris Scott told media Stanley was “likely” and Clark was “a possibility” on Tuesday.

“We’re not in a position to give guarantees at this stage but we’re more optimistic than we were at this stage last week,” he said.

The Cats’ medical team also flagged possible returns from midfielder George Horlin-Smith and wingman Sam Blease, both awaiting assessment later this week.

“George is a little sore in his knee, he got a hyperextension injury, and then he also got a jammed inflexion for good measure,” Cats’ physio Mark Young said on Tuesday.

“We’ve got a scan on him today, he’s moving good but we’ve still got a few assessments to make on him.

“Sam jarred his ankle, it’s settled really quickly and he was running on the track today but again he’s someone we need to test later this week.”

Tall forward Shane Kersten is also in the mix for Round 11 after being subbed off at the major break with a hamstring twinge at the weekend. He’s up for testing this week and is another likely return.

Club veteran Jimmy Bartel, however, definitely won’t face the Power, remaining sidelined with a knee injury obtained in Round 3. He’s still a few weeks away from hitting the field again.