GEELONG star Jimmy Bartel is confident he will be available for next Saturday's blockbuster against Hawthorn at the MCG.

However, doubts remain over Steve Johnson's fitness leading into the final two home-and-away rounds as he battles a foot injury.

Bartel missed the Cats' thrilling win over Carlton on Friday night with a corked thigh after the Cats decided to take a conservative approach at selection.

On Sunday morning, the Brownlow medallist said he was preparing to return against the Hawks in a high stakes clash that could determine which club finishes in the top two and hosts a qualifying final.

"I should be fine for this week," he told Channel Seven's Game Day.

"I was pretty sore and if you're not 100 per cent it's pretty hard to get through the game."

Geelong coach Chris Scott on Friday night said the Cats had ruled out "anything serious that would keep [Johnson] out for any longer than a couple of weeks".

However, Bartel said there were no guarantees the star midfielder would be available to face the Hawks.

"I think it'll be a week-to-week thing being a stress reaction," Bartel said.

"It might be the old Neal Balme [line] - ‘everyone's one week away’.”