Injuries have bitten deep into both sides for Saturday’s Sydney AFL derby, with the Giants’ Coleman Medal leader Jeremy Cameron the latest dropout.

Cameron was ruled out on Friday with calf tightness, leaving one less headache for a weakened Sydney defence without Dane Rampe, Colin O’Riordan and Jarrad McVeigh.

The fifth-placed Giants had previously ruled out key defender Sam Taylor and forward Daniel Lloyd.

Taking Cameron’s place – although probably not his position, up forward for the Giants Stadium clash – will be debutant defender Connor Idun.

“This time last year, I probably didn’t even think I was going to get drafted. To be here now and debuting in the derby, I’ll be pinching myself tomorrow,” said England-born Idun.

Among the veterans recalled for the game are the Giants’ Brett Deledio and Sydney’s Kieren Jack, with forward Dan Menzel another of the Swans’ inclusions.

The early balance of the Sydney rivalry has swung around, with GWS the much-higher placed side going into the game against the Swans – 15th at the start of the round.

The Giants will look to build more momentum in their charge to the finals.

They are coming off successive victories over Collingwood and Port Adelaide, but haven’t won more than three straight this season.

“The challenge for us now is just to try and string together some really consistent football, because we’ve struggled to do that this year at times,” Giants midfielder Jacob Hopper told AAP.

“Knowing that we can play good footy, week in, week out, and to have that trust within the group that, no matter what’s going on, we can still deliver on the football that we want to.

“These types of (derby) games, it doesn’t really matter in terms of ladder positioning. I know it will be a really tough hard-edged game of footy.”

Sydney might severely dent the Giants’ hopes of a top-four placing by winning on Saturday.

“I don’t think you’re really focusing on upsetting their season,” Swans co-captain and midfielder Luke Parker said.

“I think it’s more about making sure we play to a really good standard and we go into next season with a lot of confidence.”