PREMIERSHIP forward Dan Butler has run out of time to press his case for Thursday night's clash with Hawthorn, with Richmond deciding he won't play at any level this weekend.

However, coach Damien Hardwick confirmed the Tigers would be bolstered by the return of midfielder Kane Lambert for the qualifying final at the MCG.

Butler hasn't played an AFL match since round 16 because of an ankle injury, but did play a half of a VFL qualifying final on Saturday night.

Hardwick said Butler would train this weekend instead of playing in the Tigers' VFL semi-final against Essendon on Saturday, in a bid to boost his fitness.

"He tried to put his hand up but he just wasn't quite responding the way we'd like," Hardwick said.

"We think we'll just pull him back a little bit and get a bit of training into him just to get the injury 100 per cent.

"We'll give him another week, he's still got some time, he's an important player for us and provided we play to our level of expectation, he's got some time to get back."

The Tigers completed a short captain's run at Punt Road on Wednesday morning, with Ryan Garthwaite, Sam Lloyd and Connor Menadue part of the extended squad.

Lambert trained and will be named on Wednesday night after last playing in round 21.

"He'll come in ready to go," Hardwick said.

"It's pleasing for us, he's such an important player to the way we play and it's a great turnaround, he's certainly been very diligent in his rehab and recovery.

"He's a certain starter."