Melbourne trio Jeff Garlett, Jacks Watts and Jesse Hogan have officially been ruled out of Friday night's blockbuster clash with Sydney at the MCG.
Garlett will miss the match after injuring his hamstring in the Dees' win over West Coast last Saturday night.
Watts, who missed last week's match with a hamstring injury, will not be risked and will be sidelined for at least another week, while Hogan will also miss another week, despite training with the main group today.
"Jesse won't play this week but he's getting very close and eager to play," coach Simon Goodwin said on Wednesday afternoon.
"He's been doing a hell of a lot of work the last couple of weeks, he's getting very close.
"He's got a few big sessions to come, six or seven days, he's tracking a long really well.
"We're encouraged by how he's progressing so he's not too far away.
"Jack Watts won't play either this Friday. We're taking it week by week with him at the moment, he can certainly run up to a reasonable speed but he just can't quite hit top pace...when that time comes that's when he'll be available for selection.
"Jeff Garlett won't play either. We don't want to take a risk with anyone who is sore."
The Demons currently sit fifth, with eight wins and five losses, while the Swans, who have won six of the past seven games, are knocking on the door of the top eight, in 10th place.
