Fremantle midfielder David Mundy is nursing a slight ankle injury and could be rested rested for Sunday’s AFL clash with Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium.

Mundy rolled his ankle in last week’s win over Carlton, and was restricted to light duties during the open part of Fremantle’s training session on Wednesday.

Although coach Ross Lyon expects Mundy to prove his fitness in time for the game, the club may opt to rest the 28-year-old given the soft opposition and Fremantle’s need to protect their star players ahead of the finals.

The Dockers will guarantee themselves a top-four berth if they beat GWS, Melbourne (MCG), Port Adelaide (home) and St Kilda (ES) in the run home.

Last season, Fremantle resisted the temptation to rest star defender Luke McPharlin at the tail-end of the season.

The decision ended up backfiring when McPharlin injured his hamstring in round 23 against Collingwood, ruling him out for the finals series.

Lyon said he was yet to decide whether to rest any players over the next month.

“It’s a really delicate equilibrium. We’ll be cautious in any decisions we make,” Lyon said.

Skipper Matthew Pavlich will return from suspension against GWS along with defender Garrick Ibbotson (Achilles tendon), but Clancee Pearce will miss two weeks due to a calf injury.

McPharlin is unlikely to return from his own calf tear until the final round of the season.