MELBOURNE coach Dean Bailey says Colin Sylvia is no certainty for selection when the Demons choose their squad for Sunday's round one clash with North Melbourne at the MCG.

The club's leadership group suspended Sylvia for the club's final NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs at Casey Fields on March 14 when he failed to attend a training session the previous Monday after staying out to the wee hours of that morning.

After playing 18 games in 2008 and putting in a big pre-season, the No.3 pick overall in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft was expected to stamp his authority on the competition this year, but he could miss his second season opener in as many years for disciplinary reasons.

Bailey couldn't confirm on Monday morning whether the talented 23-year-old would play in round one, saying he had to 'train well this week' to be considered.

"Selection is still a few days away, but as I've said before, Col's got to train well to be selected … He had a good second half against the Swans [in the NAB Challenge], but I didn't think his form was brilliant in the other two games," the Demons coach said at Junction Oval on Monday morning.

"So he's got to train well, like probably six or seven other guys to be considered, so it's a good situation to be in. We've got blokes to pick from who are fitter than last year."

"We've probably got seriously 28 or 29 that we've got to squeeze into 22. We played a number of guys over the NAB Cup. Some of the young guys as well (are a chance), so that adds to the numbers, and they'll be seriously considered.

Bailey singled out Queensland pair Jake Spencer and Rohan Bail, and exciting WA teenager Neville Jetta, as young players pushing hard for selection when the teams are announced on Friday.

"A couple of them have forced their way into the 28, absolutely," Bailey said.

"Young Spencer, who we've elevated will be under serious consideration this week and [Bail and Jetta], they've done well enough to be in the 28, so it's going to be a really good selection this week.

"We'll have to grind out 22, which is fantastic, because last year we were patching them up and putting them out there to play and this year, they're a little bit further advanced”.