KEY FORWARD Mitch Clark is being eased back into his rehabilitation after returning from his native Western Australia during the mid-season break.
Elite performance manager Dave Misson said Clark was “going ok” after being listed as indefinite due to a foot injury, which has kept him sidelined since round five.
“He’s going ok. He spent a little bit of time in Perth last week, [but he’s] back in Melbourne now,” he told melbournefc.com.au.
“We’re looking to let the foot settle down a bit - he’s still been doing his off legs rehab and we’re just giving him a bit of time before he starts doing some work on his feet.”
Misson said midfielder Michael Evans will miss four weeks with a toe injury.
“Unfortunately, and similar to Jack Viney, he’s just got some overload in his third and fourth toe area,” he said.
“We’re going to back him off and he’s had a pretty good year so far from someone who’s come a long way back.
“He’s missed most of last year and we just want to give him a little bit of time and try and get him back for the end of the season.”
Misson said key talls James Frawley and Chris Dawes would face fitness tests this week.
“Chip Frawley has been running really well in rehab and it’s a surprise to see him after the hammy, so he’s pushing hard to play this week. We’ll give him every opportunity,” he said.
“Dawesy basically had last week off his legs and has come in this week and been pretty good.
“We’ll give them as much time as they need to play this week, but we probably won’t know until later in the week.”
Defender Joel Macdonald remains a chance to play this round, after being forced to withdraw in the lead up to the Queen’s Birthday clash, due to a weight falling on his foot in the gym.
“He’s probably a test this week - his toe is a little bit sore and he’s had a little bit of a run on it, but we’ll just see how it pulls up this morning (Tuesday) and see what he can do tomorrow (Wednesday),” Misson said.
Midfielder Jordie McKenzie had a “mild hyperextension” of his elbow and is also in the mix to play this Saturday against St Kilda at the MCG.
“The bye has been good for him and we expect him to line up,” Misson said.
Misson said co-captain Jack Grimes and first year Demon Jack Viney were still three weeks away from returning.
“Jack Grimes is going really well. He did his first training session with the group yesterday (Monday). He’ll gradually do more contact work and he’ll be raring to go come the end of that eight week period,” he said.
“Vines has started running and done a couple of sessions and we’ve probably got to hold him back a bit because he’s really keen and raring to go. But he’s going very well and he’s worked very hard in rehab, so we’re pleased with where he’s at.”
