Ashcroft to return from knee injury for Lions

Brisbane's Will Ashcroft will make his return from injury when the Lions play Melbourne.

Brisbane Lions midfielder Will Ashcroft will play against Melbourne in his comeback from a long-term knee injury.

The 20-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament last July, ending his emphatic rookie season before his side marched into an AFL grand final.

Coach Chris Fagan on Thursday confirmed Ashcroft would return immediately to the AFL side, confident the ball magnet will be ready for whatever is thrown his way.

"He's done a huge amount of work; he's incredibly fit, training's been great, highly talented, motivated young bloke," the coach said.

"We've got a history of playing blokes straight off the back of their surgeries, like Cam Rayner and Eric Hipwood.

"We don't expect him to play the house down, but you have to start somewhere.

"Early days he wanted to break the world record for coming back from an ACL.

"But once he realised nature would take its course, you listen to your body, calm down and here he is now.

"No management - if you're playing AFL footy you're in and you do whatever you need to do."

Fagan said he had yet to decide on the final make-up of his side, but that he had a tough call ahead, given the team's return to winning form.

The Lions were 2-5 but are now 7-6-1 and have won three straight games to sit on the cusp of the top eight.

The Demons are half a win ahead in ninth spot, but have won just two of their past six games, including a nailbiter against last-placed North Melbourne last weekend.