MIDFIELDER Daniel Cross is a chance to return for Sunday’s clash against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium.
Cross has missed the past four matches with a fractured leg, but elite performance manager Dave Misson said Cross had been working around the clock to play this weekend.
“He’s done some great work over the last week and a half,” he told Dee TV.
“The rest of the boys had four days off and Crossy stuck around and did a big rehab session on Friday … and almost had some game numbers on the GPS.
“So he’s looking good for this week, but it’ll be a little bit about what he does later in the week and whether the match committee thinks that’s enough to get him across the line.”
Misson said young-gun forward Jesse Hogan was also a chance to play football in 2014, after missing the season so far with a back injury. But yet-to-debut Demon Jayden Hunt was unlikely to play in the VFL again in 2014.
“Jesse did some training [on Monday] and he’s essentially out of rehab now, so he’s back with the group and we’ll be gradually progressing him into the main drills and to work with the group,” he said.
“It’s really about whether it’s worthwhile Jesse coming back this season or not. It’s a little bit about whether he thinks he’s ready or not, so he needs at least three weeks of training and the season’s running down, so we’ll just wait and see.
“Jayden’s done a couple of running sessions now, so he’s probably a bit further away.
“We’re probably in no rush to get Jayden back to play this season, because it’s more about long term for him and making sure that he’s OK for pre-season.
Midfielder Michael Evans (shoulder) and big man Max King (knee) will face fitness tests this week.
“Both of those guys have done some really good work in the last two weeks and have just got to tick off some stuff in training tomorrow to determine whether they’re going to be available or not,” Misson said.
Former co-captain Jack Trengove (foot), ruckman Jake Spencer (ankle) and small forward Shannon Byrnes (foot) are in different stages of their recovery from season-ending injuries.
“Trenners had a great family moment [in Glasgow], but he’s due back in a couple of days and has already indicated by email and phone since he’s been away that he can’t wait to get back and get stuck into it,” Misson said.
“His foot is feeling good and it’s been a good thing that he’s been on a trip where he’s done a lot of walking and done a lot of conditioning into that foot, so we’ll assess it when he comes back and see where he is.
“Jake’s probably two weeks away from running on the d-loader and Byrnesy has been doing some good work in the gym.”
Melbourne injury list: round 19
Shannon Byrnes (foot) – season
Daniel Cross (leg) – test
Michael Evans (shoulder) – test
Jesse Hogan (back) – 3-4 weeks
Jayden Hunt (back) – 3-4 weeks
Max King (knee) – test
Jake Spencer (ankle) – season
Jack Trengove (foot) – season
