MELBOURNE has upgraded rookie midfielder Viv Michie ahead of Saturday's vital twilight game against the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.

The 24-year-old who has played 18 games with Melbourne and Fremantle since making his debut in 2013 has been picked to to play against the Suns.

After being placed on the rookie list at the end of last season, he has been in good form in the VFL in the past few weeks with the Casey Scorpions and was best on ground last week against Essendon.

Melbourne coach Paul Roos told the Demons website: "Viv’s our most consistent VFL player, but last week he went to another level, so it’s good that he gets another opportunity."

The Demons will be without Christian Salem from last week's team that lost to St Kilda after he was ruled out due to a head knock that caused him to be concussed.

Michie played in the midfield and across half-back last week for the Scorpions and is a noted contested ball winner.  

He played in the final seven games in 2015 and would improve the Demons' work inside the contest, an area in which it was found wanting last week.