THE future of Swans midfielder Nic Fosdike is at the crossroads with the 28-year-old weighing up whether to continue next season with a long-term knee injury that could significantly restrict him.

Fosdike, who did not attend the club's training camp at Terrigal on the NSW central coast this week, played just one game last season after injuring his knee while landing awkwardly during a pre-season training drill, and has not returned to full fitness since.

Fosdike has been unable to train at full capacity, reducing his trademark ability for covering the ground.

With the Swans managing the generational change necessary to revitalise an ageing list, Fosdike has been told he might have to spend significant time in the reserves next year if he can't regain fitness, something he may be reluctant to do approaching the end of his career.

"It's not a knee that will stop him playing necessarily, but it could have an impact on his ability to train and get up for games," said Swans general manager Andrew Ireland.

"Whether he thinks he can get through is something Nic needs to weigh up and reach a decision on but, as far as it stands now, he's a contracted player for next year and we'll just wait and see how it works out."

Complicating Fosdike's decision is the fact the Swans cannot simply pay out his contract for 2009 because it would count in last year's total player payments, pushing them over the salary cap and putting them at risk of fines and other sanctions.

"He understands he's a contracted player and there are a few complicated issues that go with the whole situation," said Ireland. "It's not like we can just pay him out and I'm not sure he would want to just forego the money he would get."

Although losing Fosdike without being able to take a replacement in the pre-season draft would rob the Swans of experience and depth, they currently have 40 players on their list — two more than the minimum 38 — including the two 10-year veterans Leo Barry and Michael O'Loughlin.

Managing the long-term injury concerns of premiership heroes such as Fosdike has become one of a number of delicate issues confronting the Swans.

Last season, the victim of change was another 2005 alumni Ben Mathews, who spent virtually the entire season in the reserves before his retirement as rookie Craig Bird stepped into the midfield. Barry will play on next season, but only after he accepted a reduced contract and the possibility he too could spend time at the lower level if his form falters.

Meanwhile, the AFL's plan to have its western Sydney franchise as the 18th team competing in 2012 remains firm. "We're coming in 2012 and that's absolutely still the position," NSW AFL general manager Dale Holmes said yesterday.

"We're really excited about it, and 2012 is our timeframe for the western Sydney club to be playing in the AFL.

"What we are doing is effectively exploring the options available to us in terms of the timing of things leading into 2012."