Geelong football manager Gary Davidson said White had shaken off a recurrent back-related hamstring strain that had restricted him to just two senior games this year and that he would be available.

The former West Coast Eagle and All-Australian player last played against Werribee in Geelong's VFL side on May 25, but broke down 10 minutes into the second quarter.

It was his first appearance for the Cats since breaking down in the May 4 match against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Davidson said White was yet to take part in full training and that the long layoff was a cautious measure.

``It just depends on severity and given his past history with it we were more cautious this time round to make sure we got him right,'' he said.

Davidson said middhfielder Joel Corey has recovered from a bruised hip that kept him out of the Collingwood clash on Saturday and that he will be available for selection this weekend against Essendon.

``He just had a knock to the hip and bruising but he'll be right,'' he said.

Vice-captain Brenton Sanderson, who looked to badly injure his ankle in the first quarter of Saturday's match, would be tested during the week but Davidson rated him a good chance to play.

``He'll go through the whole physio process all week and we'll see how he goes,'' he said.

``We'll test him as the week goes on. He may not do a lot of work early in the week and may not do a lot on Thursday night, just to give him an extra couple of days to get ready.''

Sanderson, who played every minute of every game last year, has played 11 of 15 games this year after being sidelined with a calf injury earlier in the year.

But for the horrific injury to Jason Snell that has ended his career and a season-ending knee injury to David Spriggs that occurred in December, the Cats have had a charmed run this year.

Davidson attributed it to good management from the club's medicos but conceded there was also an element of luck involved.

``We haven't got too much in the way of injuries at the moment which is terrific,'' he said.

``I put it down to good management from all the doctors and physios and fitness people but you need a little bit of luck as well, there's no doubt about that.''