Cox cleared to play in boost for Roos

DASHING winger Jake Cox will finally make his long-awaited return to TSL football this weekend when Clarence takes on Hobart City at North Hobart Oval.

Despite being named — and labelled a confirmed starter by coach Jeromey Webberley — for several weeks, the mercurial Roo has not played since rupturing a tendon in his finger against Glenorchy in Round 6.

However, Webberley is finally relieved to have his silky playmaker back on the field as the side looks to bounce back from its second defeat of 2017 last Saturday to the Pies.

Cox has been training fully for three weeks, with the Mercury understanding the hold-up has been work-related compensation.

“Coxy will definitely play this week, I swear on my life, unless something happens at training he will play,” Webberley said.

He will be one of three big inclusions for Clarence, which has also named key defender Jason Bailey and ruckman Wade Wall.

Bailey was due to return from a one-match suspension last week but was held out because of a facial injury, while Wall was withdrawn on the morning of the match because of illness.

“I thought we missed those guys last week, we lacked a bit of versatility,” said Webberley, who added he was back running and eyeing a Round 18 return against North Launceston from his hamstring tear.

Hobart City has replaced Callan Dell with Callum Kilpatrick.

While Glenorchy sweats on the fitness of Jaye Bowden (back) and loses Matthew Joseph to suspension, North Launceston has named a quartet of big guns for the big clash at UTas Stadium.

Coach Tom Couch, skipper Taylor Whitford (ankle), young gun Tarryn Thomas (management) and Jay Foon (hand) have all been named.

Lauderdale will be without Ben McGuiness (wrist) for one or two weeks, while Tigers lose Sam Rice (hamstring) and Josh Huizing (broken hand) among five changes for the trip to Windsor Park, where Launceston coach Sam Lonergan has been named to return from concussion.