SYDNEY coach Paul Roos conceded the prospect of veteran forward Michael O'Loughlin returning to the field again this season - regardless of how long the Swans remain in finals - is looking grim.

O'Loughlin, the club's games record holder with 286 - and who strung together 77 consecutive games before this latest injury - has not played since injuring his ankle in the win over Carlton in round 16.

Only last week O'Loughlin told the Herald : "I'm still having a bit of trouble with the sharper movements, which is what my game is based around, but the window of opportunity is still there, and it's improving every day, so I haven't written off the year yet."

His coach, however, has already counted the 31-year-old out of Friday's semi-final clash with the Western Bulldogs, and was not confident of a return should the Swans advance past that game to meet Geelong in the preliminary final.

"I haven't spoken to Mick today, but based on last week and just with our medical staff, I wouldn't think he would play this week," Roos said. "It's been a fair while [on the sidelines] and just his fitness … he still hasn't been able to twist and turn on his ankle. He's slowly improving, but it has been pretty slow and I wouldn't think he would be playing this week.

"Look, it's going to be hard [for him to return this season] because at some point your fitness levels drop significantly, and he hasn't really been able to do too many fitness sessions … It's becoming increasingly unlikely that Mick will play [this year] but he'll keep battling away. He loves being around the club and obviously loves training with the players, but at the moment it looks reasonably grim for Mick."

In O'Loughlin's absence - and due to his own groin problem - Adam Goodes has moved into the forward line, which proved successful in Sydney's win over North Melbourne, and he will continue there against the Dogs.