MELBOURNE defender Daniel Bell appeared to be in some distress when he hobbled from the field in the club's eight-point loss to the Sydney Swans at Visy Park on Saturday.

However, coach Dean Bailey said Bell's condition wasn't serious, despite the underrated Demon limping heavily with the aid of trainers.

"Belly has got a cork. It's a corked thigh, so he should be alright," Bailey said.

"Belly recuperates pretty quickly, so he should be right in a couple of days."

Bell has played 63 games for the Demons since his 2004 debut, adding 18 last year.

No other injuries came out of the match.