The Brisbane Lions could regain as many as eight players for this Saturday's clash with GWS, with five having recovered from a bout of COVID-19.

The COVID-hit Brisbane Lions will regain up to eight players, although ruckman Oscar McInerney has been ruled out of Saturday's crucial AFL clash with GWS.

Lions football Danny Daly expects all five players - Harris Andrews, Noah Answerth, Keidean Coleman, Daniel McStay and Callum Ah Chee - who missed Sunday's loss against Essendon with COVID-19 to return this weekend.

The under-pressure Lions, who have lost four of their last seven games to be in jeopardy of finishing outside the top four, could also recall Dayne Zorko, Daniel Rich and Jarrod Berry from hamstring injuries.

"They all missed last week so they'll all have fitness tests (on Thursday) at our main session," Daly told SEN.

"At this stage, they've got through everything they need to do so hopefully they get through the session and should be OK to play.

"We hopefully get a fair few soldiers back this week against the Giants in Canberra."

But the loss of McInerney is a big one after he was arguably the Lions' best player in their first home-and-away loss at the Gabba since round one, 2021.

Brisbane were forced to make nine changes to face the Bombers, who they ultimately fell short against by 10 points

"No doubt there will be other clubs who will have to go through this between now and the end of the year," Daly said,

"From what we're hearing, all the holiday makers up here (in Queensland) will be going back to Melbourne and Sydney.

"I don't think we will be the only club who has to deal with this."

The Lions are clinging onto fourth spot on percentage and will face GWS for the second time in eight weeks.

At the Gabba in round 11, Brisbane trailed by 30 points early in the contest before roaring home to fell the Giants.