Sydney coach Paul Roos is confident his decision to fast-track Jesse White's return from an ankle injury won't backfire, as he continues to mould his new-look squad ahead of next month's season opener against St Kilda.
White is one of three players set to return for Saturday's second-round NAB Cup clash against the Saints, with Geelong recruit Shane Mumford and Ryan O'Keefe the other additions.
Craig Bolton (groin) and Ed Barlow (quad) are both unlikely starters despite being named, while Craig Bird (foot) and Trent Dennis-Lane (knee) will both miss the match with injuries suffered against Carlton last weekend.
Speaking at Swans training on Thursday, Roos confirmed his plan to unleash White in the second half at Etihad Stadium.
"He needs a bit of game time and needs to start working with Goodesy," Roos said.
"Obviously it'll give him two games where he's not restricted in his game time as well, so it's good that he's able to play, even if it's only 40 or 50 minutes it sets him up for the next two games and obviously for Round 1."
Roos is equally eager for White, who emerged as a legitimate option in the forward line in second half of last season kicking 20 goals, to cement his combinations with the club's new faces in the midfield.
"It's probably more important for Adam and Jesse to be there because we've got some new midfielders," he explained.
"Obviously Mumford and Seaby will be coming through the ground hopefully and Joey (Josh Kennedy) and Benny McGlynn, and if some of the younger guys get a game Jesse needs to know how the delivery is going to be from those players."
Meanwhile, Roos challenged his talented crop of draftees to continue pushing for selection in the season opener, insisting they are every chance to earn a spot in the senior side if they continue to impress in the NAB Cup.
"There's definitely some spots (available) so guys like Gary Rohan and Lewis Jetta and Trent Dennis-Lane ... clearly their names are still on the board and if they play well enough over the next three weeks they should be there Round 1," he said.
"It's really important as well for the young guys to want to be there Round 1 and obviously there are guys don't want the young guys there because they don't want them to take their spots, so there's a little bit of competition which is healthy."
Asked what he hopes to take out of Saturday's NAB Cup clash against the Saints, Roos said winning is not his major concern.
"Last week was really good and we just want to continue getting that team working together," he said.
"Obviously we saw Seabs (Mark Seaby) play pretty well last week, Benny McGlynn played well and Josh Kennedy got into the game in the last quarter and really picked up the tempo."
"We play St Kilda Round 1 so tactically we'll probably do things Round 1 that we won't do this week, but it's more about us just getting our team working on a game plan and getting them used to each other."
In other injury news, Brisbane recruit Daniel Bradshaw remains on track for the season opener following knee surgery earlier this month.