Melbourne vice-captain Jack Viney says his Achilles injury has taken a lot longer than he would have liked, but is still hopeful of a Round 8 return.
Viney has been sidelined with Achilles soreness since December, and was sent for surgery last month.
"Yeah roughly," Viney said on Tuesday.
"It's still a bit of water to go under the bridge with it, but hopefully back running in the next couple of weeks. Building myself back up to get game ready, so ticking all the boxes I need to at the moment, but still a while away."
Viney said that he would have preferred to avoid surgery.
"It's obviously taken a lot longer than I would have liked," he added.
"I wanted to avoid surgery but it is what it is. It's part of the gig. But I have full confidence that I can get through a full rehab, and get back fitter and stronger."
Viney has been working in the shadows as the Demons enter a new era under coach Steven King.
Melbourne unveiled a new-look midfield on Sunday against St Kilda following the departures of Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.
Kysaiah Pickett and recruit Jack Steele led the centre ball-up attendances, while Caleb Windsor, Trent Rivers, Koltyn Tholstrup and Harvey Langford also featured as on-ballers.
Despite not taking an active on-field role, Viney is still working on assisting the emerging talent on game day, as well as getting the new faces, like Brody Mihocek, Changkuoth Jiath and Latrelle Pickett get up to speed.
"A bit of mentoring and spending game day in the box with the coaches," Viney said.
"Trying to keep my finger on the pulse around the playing group. Make sure the players are on board and happy and getting to game day ready to roll."
After securing a win in King's debut, the Demons will head west to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
