RICHMOND has named an unchanged team for this week's clash with Sydney, but doubt still hangs over superstar Matthew Richardson's fitness.

The 34-year-old strained a glute muscle in last Saturday's win over North Melbourne, and although he returned to the ground late in the match, his movements were seriously restricted.

Jay Schulz, who kicked has kicked 10 goals in the past fortnight for Coburg in the VFL, has been named in the 25, along with running defender Andrew Raines and midfielder Shane Edwards.

Richmond football manager Ross Monaghan said he expected Richardson to play, assuming he got through training on Friday.

"There's every chance that he'll play – he's selected, so unless something unexpected happens he'll play," Monaghan told richmondfc.com.au.

Nathan Brown was left out of last weekend's team that beat North Melbourne because of a groin injury, and Monaghan said the club felt that Brown's long-term interests would be best served with another week on the sidelines.

"Nathan won't play at all this week. He was touch and go but we think another week's rest, with the condition he's got, is going to do him the world of good."

B: Chris Newman, Kelvin Moore, Alex Rance
HB: Jordan McMahon, Luke McGuane, Dean Polo
C: Matthew White, Shane Tuck, Matthew Richardson
HF: Richard Tambling, Jack Riewoldt, Joel Bowden
F: Adam Pattison, Mitch Morton, Brett Deledio
Foll: Angus Graham, Daniel Jackson, Nathan Foley
I/C (from): Andrew Collins, Mark Coughlan, Shane Edwards, Robin Nahas, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Andrew Raines, Jay Schulz

In: Raines, Edwards, Schulz
Out: -