YOUNGSTER Jimmy Toumpas and veteran Shannon Byrnes face fitness tests in the lead up to Sunday’s clash against Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.

Toumpas suffered an ankle injury during last round’s loss to Richmond, while Byrnes did not play in that match, missing his first game for the season.

Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Byrnes had been battling a wrist injury, which forced him from the side last round.

“Byrnesy had a minor wrist [injury] that he’d been carrying for a couple of weeks and we felt we just needed it to settle down,” he said.

But versatile tall Jack Watts is likely to return this week.

“Wattsy was probably only a session away last week,” Misson said.

“He trained really strongly in the last couple of weeks, so we’d expect him to be available, if he gets through training.”

As announced earlier in the week, first year Demon Jack Viney will be sidelined for up to a month, and defender Tom McDonald (shoulder) will miss another one to two matches.

“Jack unfortunately picked up a stress reaction to one of his toes, which have been sore for a week or so,” Misson said.

“We were lucky we got onto it early, so the bone didn’t crack. He’ll be probably four weeks, I would think.

“Tom tweaked his shoulder at training, and he’s going really well. His shoulder has responded to treatment and he probably won’t play this week, but he’s a chance next week.”

Co-captain Jack Grimes (shoulder) and key forward Mitch Clark (foot) remain sidelined until after the mid-season break.

“Mitch has come out of his moon boot and he’s walking around normally, in normal shoes,” Misson said.

“He’s doing some good off leg conditioning, and he probably won’t start running until the end of next week.

“Jack’s already started running, and his shoulder is feeling good. He’s starting to put some load through it, so they’re both travelling pretty well.”

Rookie Nathan Stark is also a chance to resume in the VFL after battling a groin injury.

“Starky - we just wanted to get some work into his young body,” Misson said.

“He should train and play this week.”

Round nine Melbourne injury list
Shannon Byrnes (wrist) – test
Mitch Clark (foot) – 5-6 weeks
Jack Grimes (shoulder) – 6-7 weeks
Tom McDonald (shoulder) – 1-2 weeks
Nathan Stark (groin) – test
Jimmy Toumpas (ankle) – test
Jack Viney (toe) – 3-4 weeks