Clint Dolezel is expected to play Saturday for the first time since Week One.

IRVING, Texas - After missing four games with a separated shoulder, Desperados quarterback Clint Dolezel didn't need a return to Wednesday's practice to figure out he was ready to play.

In fact, he said he had a nice throw on Tuesday that confirmed he was healthy again.

Only it was not a football Dolezel tossed. It was actually one of his golf clubs after a frustrating bad break on a shot during a round at the nearby Cowboys Golf Course in Grapevine, Texas.

The fact the Desperados quarterback was even playing golf, which was actually his second round on the links since suffering the injury on March 1, should have been a good sign he would be ready to play when the Desperados take on the Cleveland Gladiators Saturday at American Airlines Center (7 p.m. CDT).

But Dolezel confirmed his health in front of the entire team and all the coaches on Wednesday with a solid practice held at the Cowboys' indoor facility at Valley Ranch.

"It felt good. I feel like a little kid in a candy store out there," Dolezel said after Wednesday's practice. "They were all giddy and laughing, just like me.

"There was some doubt in there, but not after today. The biggest test was yesterday. I got mad and threw the golf club and I knew I was ready . . . No seriously. It wasn't one of my best throws, but it was a quick one. I got a bad break."

While Dolezel was referring to his golf shot, he didn't have the best of luck about a month ago when he was slammed to the turf in Georgia, originally suffering the Grade-2 separation in his right throwing shoulder.

While he was able to finish the game and lead the Desperados to a 51-41 win, Dolezel was placed on injured reserve the next week, forcing him to miss a minimum of four games.

Backup quarterback Chris Sanders was a perfect 4-0 as the starter in Dolezel's absence, although there were some rough moments during the winning streak, including in this past Sunday's 33-31 win over New York. Sanders lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions, one returned for a touchdown.

"It shows you how good our football team is, for one," said Dolezel, who also serves as the offensive coordinator and called all of the plays for Sanders in the last four games. "The coaching staff and ownership has done a good job of getting deep talent because we've had a lot of injuries besides mine and we've been able to overcome that. I don't care who you are, if you go 4-0, you've done a good job."

And while Sanders did keep the Desperados on course despite Dolezel's injury, Desperados head coach Will McClay said he expects to coach the games differently when his veteran signal-caller returns to the lineup.

"We may go for it on a few more fourth downs that we have," McClay said. "It's changed the mindset a little bit. We kicked more field goals through that four games. That changes a little bit in hoping that we can put more points on the board. Chris did a good job for us, but with Clint, you expect a little more offense."

Dolezel was the only player wearing shoulder pads in Wednesday's practice, saying he wanted to get a "good test" to see how the shoulder will feel in a game-situation.

"After today, I'll feel great," he said. "The only thing I'm worried about is that first couple of hits. Surely, I can't take the same type of hit or it won't be good. I'm sure the other ones will be fine."

He also said he doesn't expect to wear any type of extra padding or harness for the game.

"We're tinkering with that, but I don't like a lot of things on me," Dolezel said. "I'm halfway claustrophobic, I really am. We'll try a few things on me. Really, I don't think it will help me. We taped it up today. I don't think there's much else we can do."

But whether Dolezel plays with some discomfort or a little pain, the important thing is that he's back. And that the Desperados didn't miss a beat in his absence makes his return even sweeter.