Melbourne Demons forward Jesse Hogan remains sidelined with persistent back soreness, four to six weeks away from senior action

MELBOURNE forward Jesse Hogan is not likely to feature at AFL level for at least six weeks as he battles to overcome back soreness.

MELBOURNE’S great forward hope Jesse Hogan is not likely to feature at AFL level for at least six weeks as he battles to overcome chronic back soreness.

Hogan is in the process of resuming light training duties, but remains a week-to-week prospect with his ability to recover from each session without experiencing symptoms, governing his progress.

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Despite the Demons desperation for a key forward, medical staff continue to take a cautious approach with the prodigious 19-year-old and will not rush his recovery.

“Given where he’s at, he’s probably four weeks I guess, a couple of weeks of solid training — a game, two games,” coach Paul Roos said.

“I would say at this stage, with no hiccups, it’s probably four to six weeks before he plays.”

Hogan marks in front of Tom Lonergan in NAB Challenge clash. Picture Wayne Ludbey.

Hogan first experienced soreness in his back following Melbourne’s NAB Challenge clash with Geelong in Alice Springs in late February and he has been on a modified program since.

The club originally forecast a four to six week return and Hogan was buoyed by early progress, however the persistence of symptoms is halting his progress.

In the absence of Hogan, Chris Dawes and Mitch Clark Melbourne’s forward line has been dysfunctional in the first two games and it is not likely to have a full complement of stars for some time.

Dawes remains a month away with a calf injury and Clark is out indefinitely on personal leave.

In brighter news for the club, Colin Garland could bounce straight back into the senior side after recovering from an ankle injury and Mark Jamar will return via the VFL, while Max Gawn is fit and may be brought into the side to play GWS on Sunday.