Melbourne captain Max Gawn isn't ruling out an early return from an ankle injury that saw him miss the weekend's win over Essendon.
Gawn suffered a hairline fracture at the base of his right fibula in the Demons' Round 17 win against West Coast, with the Demons ruckman unable to finish the match.
It was then revealed that the veteran would miss two to three weeks due to the ailment, putting a line through Gawn's prospects of playing the Bombers and likely Fremantle this week also.
Sporting a moon boot late last week, Gawn has been able to hit the training track and will aim to get through sessions on Monday and Wednesday to put his hand up for this week's meeting with the Dockers.
While a return still looks to be an outside chance, the 32-year-old is not ruling out a Round 19 return yet.
"It's going well. It's a hairline fracture in the ankle but you could also just say it's a badly rolled ankle," Gawn toldย Triple M.ย
"To have one week out with a rolled ankle, in my head, that's a lot. I've done a fair bit to do it. The doctor originally said two to three (weeks), so if it's that then that's also a win, let's just make sure it's not four.
"It's day to day. I'll run today and see how I go and pull up tomorrow, maybe run again Wednesday."
Despite Sam Draper's dominance in the middle for Essendon on Saturday night, Demons forward duo Jacob van Rooyen and Harrison Petty managed to aid Simon Goodwin's side to win the clearance battle 44-32.
The ruck task won't be as easy when Melbourne look to make it three wins on the trot, with former Demon Luke Jackson and Fremantle star Sean Darcy set to have their say at Optus Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Darcy is anticipated to return from concussion protocols in time for the Melbourne matchup, with Gawn's potential presence a chance to sway the game in the Demons' favour.
Should Gawn be unable to suit up on Sunday, the Demons' premiership skipper is likely to return in Round 20 when Melbourne host GWS at the MCG on July 27.
An official update on Gawn from the Demons is expected no later than Tuesday evening.
