Sydney coach John Longmire is optimistic key players Kieren Jack and Shane Mumford will return for Sunday's AFL clash with Richmond.

Ruckman Mumford missed the Swans' last two matches with a knee issue while an ankle injury has kept midfielder Jack sidelined since round six.

The pair finished second and first in the club's best-and-fairest count last year, and Longmire was pleased to see them running unhindered on Monday.

"Shane and Kieren both ran today and ran pretty well, their next challenge will be Wednesday," Longmire said.

"They'll step up their running program on Wednesday, do a lot more intensity, change of direction and agility work, and hopefully they'll pull up on Thursday.

"If they pull up OK they'll be in consideration to play but we won't be able to tick that final box and really know until Friday, after the last training session.

"I'm hopeful they'll be available to play (but) our physios are a bit unsure.

"Obviously with Mummy's knee, he's missed a couple of weeks now, sometimes it reacts differently - and we've got to make sure we don't push him over the edge."

Longmire revealed Jack may have to spend a week in the reserves before rejoining the side.

"I said that to him last week, that it might be on the agenda for him, and I don't think he took it too well," he said.

"Being the reigning best-and-fairest winner, he thought he may have had a gold card.

"I'm not too sure yet, what I am confident of is that he's a very fit player, a naturally fit player, and he's done a lot of work in regards to his off-field program."

And while it's yet to happen this season, Longmire said he had no qualms about playing tall timber Mumford, Mark Seaby and Lewis Roberts-Thomson in the same side.

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