ONE OF Geelong's comeback kids will make his long-awaited return to AFL action in Saturday night's crucial game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium, but it's not Daniel Menzel.

Menzel won't play at any level this weekend after the coaches and fitness staff decided to freshen him up in preparation for a possible call-up for the round 22 match against Collingwood.

But Nathan Vardy, whose last AFL game was the 2013 preliminary final loss to Hawthorn, is among three inclusions in the Cats' side.

The other inclusions are key backman Tom Lonergan, who missed last weekend's game against the Hawks due to illness, and small defender Jed Bews, who returns to the highest level following a stint in the VFL.

Injuries have forced veterans James Kelly (ankle) and Jared Rivers (knee soreness) out of the team, while another of the club's elder statesmen, Mathew Stokes, has been dropped.

Star midfielder Mitch Duncan will be sidelined for a second weekend after failing to recover from his calf problem. 

But the big news is the return of Vardy, who has been named in the ruck.

The 200cm big man missed Geelong's 2014 campaign after suffering a serious knee injury during the pre-season.

Further complications with his knee then sidelined for the first part of this season.

He returned to the field via the VFL a month ago, playing four games at that level.

CATS TEAM

Backs: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Jake Kolodjashnij
Half-backs: Jed Bews, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
Centres: Jimmy Bartel, Joel Selwood, Steven Motlop
Half-forwards: Cory Gregson, Josh Walker, Josh Caddy
Forwards: Jordan Murdoch, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Followers: Nathan Vardy, Mark Blicavs, Cameron Guthrie
Interchange: Nakia Cockatoo, George Horlin-Smith, Darcy Lang, Jackson Thurlow

Emergencies: Jarrad Jansen, Billie Smedts, Dawson Simpson

In: Tom Lonergan, Nathan Vardy, Jed Bews
Out: James Kelly (ankle), Mathew Stokes (omitted), Jared Rivers (knee)