Sydney will lose key back Rhyce Shaw for at least two AFL games, but are set to regain forward Kurt Tippett for Saturday’s SCG clash with GWS.

Veteran Shaw, who gives Sydney dash out of defence, hurt an ankle against Richmond last Friday.

Sydney coach John Longmire said Shaw had suffered a syndesmosis injury similar to the one midfielder Dan Hannebery sustained the previous week, though not quite as severe.

“After the game he was clearly disappointed and probably expecting a lot worse than the result he got from the scans,” Longmire said on Monday.

“So to be able to speak to him yesterday when he got the results of the scan and to understand he will only be two or three weeks out, he was pretty relieved I think.”

Tippett has missed the past two game following arthroscopic surgery on a knee.

The coach said Tippett was coming along well and was scheduled to train on Tuesday.

“If he gets through that he’s a good chance to play, so we’re looking forward to hopefully getting him out there on the weekend,’ Longmire said.

“I’m confident that he’ll play.”

Longmire said midfielder-forward Ben McGlynn, who has missed the last two matches with a fractured thumb, would be given till Thursday to resume training.

“His thumb is feeling pretty good at the moment, as all the swelling has gone down,” Longmire said.

“He’s got some movement in it. It’s a good sign.”