BACKLINE coach Jade Rawlings says tenacious defender Neville Jetta is confident he can return from a neck injury next round.

Jetta, who was subbed out against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium last round, will miss this Sunday’s clash against Carlton at the MCG.

Rawlings says it was a worry to see Jetta miss again, after suffering some knocks to the head/neck region this year.

“He had an issue after a marking contest with Daniel Cross last week, where they collided mid-air and his neck was an issue and he started having a few issues and he saw our medical staff,” he told Dee TV.

“He went and saw a specialist the other day and was cleared of any damage, but the concerning thing is that there has been multiple incidents this year with Neville’s head injury.

“That’s a concern, but speaking with him on Wednesday, he’s vibrant about the possibility of returning next week.”

But Rawlings said Jetta was a robust character and backed him in to return for Melbourne’s clash against Fremantle at Domain Stadium in round 22.

“It is a worry when you’ve been hit in the head so many times this year as Nev has, so he’s got some worries as far as the amount of times it’s occurred,” he said.

“But he is a resilient person and well as a resilient player, so he’s quite buoyant about playing again from next week onwards and hopefully the last two games.”