TOUGH-nut Jack Viney could be available for Melbourne’s round eight clash against the Western Bulldogs at the MCG or its round nine encounter against Port Adelaide in Alice Springs, after progressing strongly from a fractured fibula.
Viney, who has missed the past four matches with the injury, is making positive strides in his recovery, according to elite performance manager Dave Misson.
“He’s going pretty well and he’s done some good running sessions … and [he’s] starting to incorporate some footy work,” he told Dee TV.
“He won’t play this week, but he’s definitely a test for next week.”
But versatile big man Sam Frost is still another four to six weeks away and may not play until after Melbourne’s mid-season bye.
“Sam’s just weaning off the crutches and is out of the boot in the next couple of weeks,” Misson said.
“We’ve just got to be a bit careful that we don’t load him.
“We don’t want a regression of that injury, but he’s probably four to six weeks away.”
Misson said powerful youngster Dean Kent was ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation, after undergoing hamstring surgery two weeks ago.
“He saw his surgeon last night (Monday), who was really happy with both the wound and how the leg’s looking,” he said.
“He did some work in the pool today (Tuesday) and he’ll probably have a run Friday or Saturday.
“That’s a reasonably accelerated recovery up to now, but he’s at least another eight weeks away.”
Former co-captain Jack Trengove (foot) and last year’s No.2 NAB AFL Draft pick Christian Petracca (knee) continue to chip away with their recovery from season-ending injuries.
“They’re just putting in the hard yards down in the gym and working away together and going pretty well,” Misson said.
Melbourne injury list: round six
Sam Frost (toe) – 4-6 weeks
Dean Kent (hamstring) – 8 weeks
Christian Petracca (knee) – season
Jack Trengove (foot) – season
Jack Viney (fibula) – 1-2 weeks
