KEY forward Jesse Hogan will be available for Saturday night’s clash against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Hogan had overcome his knee problem, after he was a late withdrawal from last Saturday’s outstanding win over Hawthorn at the MCG.
“Jesse trained really strongly with the group today (Wednesday), so he’ll be available,” he told Melbourne TV.
Another tall forward Chris Dawes and rookie Josh Wagner are also set to be available for selection, after they were rested last round.
“They’ve had a really good week and they did a session together on Monday and then trained with the group today, so both of those guys will be available,” he said.
Ruckman Jake Spencer is set to return to the VFL this weekend, after missing last round with a knee complaint. But ball-winner Ben Newton is set to be sidelined for his second consecutive match with a knee injury.
“Spence just had a knock to the knee a couple of weeks ago and he’s trained strongly this week, so he’ll train on Friday and should be right,” Misson said.
“Benny has still got a bit of swelling in that knee, so we’re keen to settle that down, so he’ll miss a week.”
Defender Heritier Lumumba (concussion) remains sidelined indefinitely and first-year player Mitch King continues to make progress from a knee injury, which has sidelined him since early April.
“’H’ is having a couple of weeks away from the club and we’re hoping he’ll come back and do a little bit of training towards the end of the year,” Misson said.
“Mitch King is progressing well in his rehab, starting his running and working in the gym.”
Melbourne injury list: round 21
Jesse Hogan (knee) - available
Mitch King (knee) - season
Heritier Lumumba (concussion) - indefinite
Ben Newton (knee) - 1 week
Jake Spencer (knee) - test
