Sydney superstar Adam Goodes has ramped up his case for a long-awaited AFL recall, while teammate Dan Hannebery has backed the dual Brownlow medallist to deliver if selected for Saturday night’s semi-final against Carlton.

Goodes injured his knee in the Swans’ round 13 clash with Port Adelaide on June 13, and had been restricted to light running until this week.

On Sunday the 33-year-old turned the corner and trained well for the first time since undergoing arthroscopic surgery in July, boosting his chances of returning for the upcoming sudden-death clash with the Blues at ANZ Stadium.

On Tuesday he backed it up with another solid hit-out at the SCG, taking part in the club’s 45-minute session and staying behind for some extra work with the reserves.

Goodes was stationed forward for match-simulation drills. He occasionally ran out of puff, but there were a couple of trademark classy moments.

Sydney coach John Longmire will make the final call on Goodes after Thursday’s closed training session, but the club’s games record holder seems confident of his chances.

“He’s obviously got a spring in his step (after returning to full training). He’s smiling … and you can see it in his face, he’s pretty keen,” Hannebery said.

“If there’s one guy that can probably do it after a long layoff, it’s Adam Goodes.

“So I’m pretty confident he’ll, hopefully, get out there on Saturday night.”

Longmire brought Lewis Jetta back for last Friday night’s qualifying final against Hawthorn, but the reigning premiers were outclassed in the second half and the speedster struggled to make an impact in his first AFL match since injuring his shin in round 10.

Hannebery believed both underdone players could offer a lot on Saturday night, despite their less-than-ideal preparation.

“I think you can (play both Goodes and Jetta in the same side). It’s about the coaches and fitness staff looking into it and getting that mix right,” he said.

“I’m sure they’ll be talking about that right now and for the next couple of days.

“We hope as a playing group they’re both out there and having an impact … they can create a few nightmares for the opposition.”

Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh, Gary Rohan, Kurt Tippett and Ben McGlynn were among the players that did not take part in Tuesday’s training session, but Longmire on Monday forecast a light week on the track for many of his charges.