MELBOURNE forward Mitch Clark will miss the rest of the 2013 season.

Acting general manager of football operations Josh Mahoney said Clark, who has been sidelined since round five, would continue his rehabilitation but not be rushed back before the season’s end.

“The club has reassessed Mitch’s foot injury on a weekly basis and projected timelines for when he would be available to play AFL football,” he said.

“It is now clear that there is insufficient time left in the season for him to fully recover and achieve appropriate match fitness preventing him from making a successful return to AFL Football.

“The focus will now switch to his preparation for preseason training and a successful return to football in 2014.”

Clark has played 97 AFL matches, including 15 games for Melbourne since the start of last year. He has also booted 97 goals, including 36 at the Demons.