Hamstrung Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli is shaping up to return for the AFL side’s preliminary final.

But Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson says Rioli’s fitness is just one of many factors that will decide whether the gifted 25-year-old returns after the team’s week off.

Clarkson noted after his side’s qualifying win over Geelong that Rioli would “give himself a chance to be available for the prelim final” if his recovery from a serious hamstring injury continued over the next fortnight.

The two-time premiership coach revealed more on Saturday, while speaking to radio station 3AW.

“He needs to get to full speed and train well to convince us that he’s OK to go. Even then, we may decide that we might not go with it,” Clarkson said.

“It’s not going to be an easy call, one way or the other.

“It might depend on who we’re playing as well.”

Rioli hurt his hamstring in round 15 and hasn’t played since.

Matt Suckling (knee) is also expected to be fit for the reigning premiers’ fourth preliminary final in a row.