Richmond Tigers Chris Newman and Jarrod Silvester in the clearJon Ralph | July 28, 2009
RICHMOND has cleared captain Chris Newman and full back Jarrod Silvester of serious injury, but is yet to decide where Matthew Richardson will play this weekend.
The Tigers have a chance to gain some late-season momentum with MCG clashes against Melbourne and Sydney in the next fortnight.
Coach Jade Rawlings will assess Richardson's training form today and later in the week before considering whether he plays in the VFL for Coburg or for Richmond.
Richardson, recovering from a ruptured hamstring tendon, is considered likely to play only the second VFL game of his career, against Box Hill on Saturday.
The club faces several selection quandaries, with leading defender Kelvin Moore available after a fortnight out with a calf injury.
Alex Rance was best afield for Coburg on Saturday, so the Tigers suddenly have a wealth of tall defensive options.
Ruckman Troy Simmonds is also available after recovering from groin issues, but should return in the VFL.
Experienced midfielders Mark Coughlan and Shane Tuck pushed their claims at VFL level on the weekend, but may find it hard to break back into the side.
Football manager Ross Monaghan said the Tigers were in no hurry to make a decision on Richardson.
"We haven't decided anything yet," Monaghan said.
"This is his second full week of training and we fully expect him to play, but we have only just started looking at Melbourne, so it's too early to say."
Newman was hobbling late in the win against Essendon, but Monaghan said he had pulled up extremely well yesterday.
Silvester, who had to be carried off by a pair of Richmond trainers, has been diagnosed with a badly turned ankle but could have returned late in the game.
Key-position tall Graham Polak continues to impress at Coburg, but seems unlikely to win a senior recall this year.
"We are happy with the way he is going, but we will just keep monitoring things," Monaghan said.
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