CO-CAPTAIN Jack Grimes is likely to play his first match since round six, after spending the past eight weeks on the long term injury list.

Acting general manager of football operations, Josh Mahoney, said the match committee would decide later in the week if Grimes was ready to play against the Sydney Swans at the MCG on Sunday. 

“Jack’s had an extended layoff with shoulder surgery,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“With that type of injury, he’s been able to do a lot of the training and running for the first five to six weeks.

“He’s been able to train fully in the last couple of weeks, so the match committee will consider his availability for this week’s game.”

Speedster Sam Blease will face a fitness test this round, after he injured his ankle against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG last Saturday night. Blease was subsequently subbed out of the match.

“He’s received positive news about the severity of his injury, and he’s a chance for this week’s game,” Mahoney said.

But another dasher, Rohan Bail, could be sidelined for up to a month with a knee injury which occurred while he was playing for Casey against the Northern Blues at Casey Fields last Saturday.

“Rohan had an injury in the first quarter,” Mahoney said.

“Scans have showed damage to his medial ligament, and at this stage, he is expected to miss between two to four weeks.”

Defender Joel Macdonald will be available for selection, but leader Jordie McKenzie and youngster Jack Viney are 50/50 this round.

“Both Jordie and Joel are recovering from their elbow and foot injury respectively,” Mahoney said.

“They will train fully during the week and, all things going well, they’ll be available for selection on the weekend.

“Jack Viney has done all that’s required of him with regards to his foot injury, and he’ll be doing full training this week.”

Key forward Mitch Clark (foot) remains sidelined indefinitely.

Ruckman Mark Jamar and midfielder Michael Evans will miss the next four matches each. Both have foot injuries.

Rookie Nathan Stark will be out for another two to three weeks with an ankle problem.

Casey has a bye this weekend, and Mahoney said that could impact on some of the players returning from injury. 

“It means that some of the players coming back from injury might have another week on the track before they play a game,” he said.

Round 15 Melbourne injury list
Rohan Bail (knee) – 2-4 weeks 
Sam Blease (ankle) – test
Mitch Clark (foot) – indefinite
Michael Evans (foot) – 4 weeks
Jack Grimes (shoulder) – available 
Mark Jamar (foot) – 4 weeks
Joel Macdonald (foot) – available 
Jordie McKenzie (elbow) – test
Nathan Stark (ankle) – 2-3 weeks
Jack Viney (foot) – test