Geelong coach Mark Thompson is confident star forward Steve Johnson can return this weekend and have a big impact during the AFL finals.

Johnson's struggles with hip soreness have coincided the Cats' struggles over the last third of the season.

Johnson missed four games from rounds 14-17 and he also sat out last Friday's defeat to the Western Bulldogs.

That loss was the Cats' fourth from the past eight games.

Thompson said Johnson would require surgery at the end of the season, but said his match-winner would return for Saturday's game against Fremantle at Skilled Stadium.

Thompson was also confident Johnson could hit his best form during the finals.

"If he comes back, and he will play this week for sure, he'll get through," Thompson said on Fox Sports on Monday night.

"We need players in September who are not only going to be able to take the field but take the field and play well, and that's what we're gearing up for."

Geelong must this week also weight up whether to play big man Brad Ottens, who has played in the VFL since overcoming a knee injury, but has not played an AFL game since round two.

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