Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney is expected to begin running next week but the Demons remain uncertain as to when he will be available for selection.
Foot problems have restricted Viney to just seven games this season and he has been sidelined since round 16, with soreness continuing to plague the hard nosed midfielder.
Uncertainty hovers over Jack Viney's return.
Photo: AAP
Demons coach Simon Goodwin said Viney remained a part of their plans in 2018 as they attempt to make the finals for the first time since 2006.
"He hasn't had a setback but he's tried to load again and he's a little bit sore, so we're just going to push that back a little bit further before we start reloading him," Goodwin said.
"There's a few steps to get through. The first is to actually get him reloaded.
Advertisement
"Whatever that looks like, we're still really hopeful that he still contributes for us at some stage this season, whether that's home and away or later on, who knows?
"We've got a bit of work to do yet."
The Demons will be without Jake Melksham this week against Gold Coast and Goodwin said there were several options to replace the handy goalkicker including Dean Kent, Sam Weideman and Aaron vandenBerg.
VandenBerg has not played since the final round of 2016 as he battled to overcome foot issues but he has been in good form in the VFL since returning and is getting close to selection.
Mitch Hannan will return via the VFL with Goodwin saying they wanted him to get some match fitness before being considered for selection.
The coach also praised the recent performance of key forward Jesse Hogan saying his workrate was strong and that the partnership he had formed with Tom McDonald, who has kicked 40 goals this season, would only get better.
