GEELONG midfielder Gary Ablett could return from injury against Richmond at the MCG this Saturday, but ruckman Brad Ottens' foot complaint will keep him sidelined indefinitely.

Ottens will be out of action until the Cats are convinced he has fully recovered from the injury.

Coach Mark Thompson said the former Tiger forward "hasn't progressed that much" and the club was not sure when he would play his first senior game for the year. "We've got no finish line," he said.

Ablett missed the Cats' round-seven game with a calf injury and the Hall of Fame tribute match, but Thompson rated him a 60-40 chance of playing this week.