MIDFIELDERMichael Evans and ruckman Mark Jamar, who have both missed the past five matches,remain sidelined for the next three weeks with foot injuries.

Althoughthe duo is progressing well in their rehabilitation, elite performance managerDave Misson said Evans and Jamar would not be rushed.

“Bothof those guys trained well last week. Jamar was up in Darwin with us and didsome good sessions. Evo was down here with the rehab group and trained verywell, so [he’s] probably three weeks [away],” he told melbournefc.com.au.

ButMisson said defender Colin Garland remains unlikely to play against NorthMelbourne at Etihad Stadium this Saturday.

“We’renot 100 per cent sure, [but] he’s probably less likely [to play] than more.Scans were pretty good yesterday, they didn’t show too much structural damage,but he’s got a pretty sore ankle, which is quite swollen,” he said.

“It’dhave to improve quite a lot for him to play this week, but we’re still hopefuland he’s a good healer, so you never know.”

UtilityRohan Bail, who has missed the past three matches, could return from a kneeinjury next week.

“He’sreally good. He did some great sessions up in Darwin. We’re hoping next weekfor Ro,” Misson said. 

VeteranDavid Rodan is also coming along strongly from a hamstring injury, but rookieTom Couch won’t be rushed, according to Misson.

“David’sgoing really well and he’s actually a chance to play this week, but again,we’ll probably opt on the conservative side and hold him off until next week,”he said.

“Tommyhas got some hamstring tendonitis, right up the top of his hamstring, so hecould be a little bit longer.

“It’snot super irritable, but we’ll probably give him a little bit more time.”

DefenderJoel Macdonald is most likely to return next week from a groin injury.

“Hedid the full session with the VFL before the game last Friday,” Misson said.  

“Hejust pulled up a bit sore in the hip/groin area and because he’s had a prettydisjointed preparation over the past two months, we don’t want to ramp him uptoo quickly.

“We’llprobably be conservative this week – he may play … but it’s probably morelikely next week.”

RookieNathan Stark (ankle) is still another two weeks away from returning.

“He’sstarting to do some agility this week, which is a good sign,” Misson said.

“Wehope to get him into footy next week, [but] he’s probably a couple of weeksaway.”