KEY DEFENDER James Frawley will miss the next month with a hamstring injury after hurting it in the final term against Hawthorn at the MCG on Sunday.

Football manager Josh Mahoney said scans revealed Frawley, who had a fine duel with Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin this round, strained his hamstring.

“It’s disappointing for James, who has been in good form in the past few weeks,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

But in better news, young tall backman Tom McDonald could be a chance to return, after missing the past four matches with a shoulder injury.

Veteran forward Shannon Byrnes, who missed rounds eight and 10 with a wrist injury, could also resume.

First-year Demon Jack Viney is out of his moonboot after missing the past three matches with a toe injury. He is set to miss another couple of weeks.

Co-captain Jack Grimes (shoulder) and goalkicker Mitch Clark (foot) remain out for another four to five weeks.

Melbourne round 11 injury list
Shannon Byrnes (wrist) – test
Mitch Clark (foot) – 4-5 weeks
James Frawley (hamstring) – 4 weeks
Jack Grimes (shoulder) – 4-5 weeks
Tom McDonald (shoulder) – test
Jack Viney (toe) – 2 weeks