The 26-year-old missed just one game last season, but had been slowed by groin and calf injuries over summer.

"Dan is ok now, but he has taken his time since coming off his groin at the end of last year so we were really conservative with him," coach John Longmire said on Wednesday.

"He hurt his calf a number of weeks ago which put him back at bit but he is back into running now and looking good.

"I think he will be touch and go for the start of the season.

"But it is not about round one for him. It is about making sure he gets in the best possible shape to have the best season he can have."

In better news for the Swans, veterans Lance Franklin and Josh Kennedy are set to play in a practice match on Friday against Greater Western Sydney.

Franklin won his fourth Coleman Medal last season but went goalless in Sydney's semi-final loss to Geelong.

The 31-year-old then had surgery on both knees and an ankle in the off-season.

"The procedures he had were only minor," Longmire said.

"He's on a program that best suits him. He's had a good pre-season and we'll expose him to some footy this week.

"(Franklin and Kennedy) won't be playing huge minutes but they will certainly be exposed for the first time this week which is terrific."

The Swans kick off their pre-season series with a match against Brisbane on Saturday, March 3 in Moreton Bay and open their premiership season on Sunday, March 25 against West Coast at Optus Stadium.

Australian Associated Press