Melbourne's Clayton Oliver has spoken on his plans to return to the Demons' football program as he looks to rebuild his fitness and overcome personal challenges while on extended leave.

Oliver has been absent from Melbourne's training plans to start the new year after first requiring leave in the back end of 2023 due to matters relating to the superstar midfielder's personal life.

The 26-year-old suffered a medical episode in October due to a mix of ADHD medication, stress, a lack of sleep and strenuous exercise, with Oliver hospitalised after suffering a seizure.

The same off-season period saw Melbourne call on Oliver to lift his professional standards, with trade talks also circling the four-time best and fairest winner before the club outlined its plans to keep the ball winner.

Oliver's playing future is again clouded as he looks to deal with personal matters that have kept him off the park, however the star Demon returned to the club on Saturday and underwent a solo training session.

Speaking toย 9 News after the session, Oliver said he's eyeing a return to football and will rejoin his teammates "whenever I'm ready".

"Yeah it's good (to be back at the club)," Oliver said.ย "I'm actually not allowed to say anything, but it's good.

"Hopefully (I can return to training soon), it'd be good. Trying to get fit again.

"The boys are going well, everyone's fit, it was good to see them flying. Hopefully (I can) join in whenever I'm ready."

Melbourne's sole pre-season match isn't until late February, giving Oliver a month and a half to get match fit and potentially face Carlton at Ikon Park over a week out from the club's season-opening meeting with Sydney at the SCG.

That game will see former Demons pair Brodie Grundy and James Jordon face their old side after departing Melbourne over the recent off-season.

Oliver will again be a pivotal piece in Melbourne's premiership push this year if he can be cleared to return, with the two-time AFLCA Champion Player of the Year arguably the Demons' best performer across their 2023 finals campaign.

The Mooroopna junior missed an extended period of action last year due to an ongoing hamstring issue but would eventually return to Simon Goodwin's side in time for their run for finals.