Sydney Swans handed Taylor Adams boost amid big development around Sam Wicks

Sydney have been handed a huge boost ahead of their AFL clash against the Eagles on Saturday with new recruit Taylor Adams set make his Swans debut with Sam Wicks also back among the squad. Adams signed for the Swans, but has been battling a pre-season knee injury that has kept him out of the first four games.

In his absence, the Swans started the season on a roll having defeated Melbourne, Collingwood and Essendon. The Swans looked a little flat on the weekend having went down for the first time against Richmond.

And coach John Longmuire will welcome the return of Adams against West Coast during Gather Round on Saturday to add experience to the young Swans midfield. The 30-year-old former Collingwood midfielder played two quarters in the VFL last weekend against Richmond.

"If he trains today, he plays his first game for us," Longmire confirmed. "He's got so much to add. He is a hard competitor and that's a big reason why we got him. "We looked at the team last week (against Richmond) and we had seven midfielders that were 23 and under.

"We feel like that group has been terrific ... but they are still young and they're still learning. One of the reasons why we wanted some more experience last year with Taylor was to be able to help that young midfield group out.

"From the moment he walked into the place, he's provided Luke Parker and Callum Mills with a bit of extra help as far as leadership in our midfield group. You can hear the group, see the group learning off him all the time." Adams' debut for the club isn't the only good news for the Swans heading into Gather Round.

Meanwhile, Longmuire has confirmed forward Sam Wicks will be back available for selection after he was left out of the squad last round. The coach was asked about the alleged falling out between Wicks and the playing group over personal issues after the star was left out of the squad against Richmond. However, Longmire was coy when admitting Wicks would most likely be back.

"He's back amongst all the playing group," Longmire said. "I'm not going to go into the details other than the fact that we decided last week to pick the team that we thought was best to go to Melbourne. Sam will be available for selection and we'll work through what that looks like."

Swans star set to return amid James Rowbottom contract

The club could also welcome back Harry Cunningham having missed the last two games. Cunningham was concussed after Essendon's Peter Wright took him out and copped a four-game suspension. And while the Swans are set to miss Dane Rampe for up to four weeks after his injury on the weekend, they are also hoping to welcome back Cunningham.

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"Dane going out for a few weeks is disappointing, but if Harry comes in there that'd be a plus," Longmire said. "(Harry's) been terrific, like he's felt really good ... he's been doing all that's required up to this point.

"He's got to go through the steps again today and tomorrow so we'll see how that progresses, but he's been doing all that's required up to this point." James Rowbottom has been rewarded for his performances having re-signed with the club until at least the end of 2028. Praised for his fearless ball-winning ability, the 23-year-old signed a four-year contract extension.