MELBOURNE has added six players to its squad for Sunday’s clash against Richmond at the MCG, but has lost tough-nut Jack Viney (toe) and forward Shannon Byrnes (wrist) through injury.

In better news for the Demons, co-captain Jack Trengove, ruckman Mark Jamar, utility Neville Jetta and first-year Dee Jimmy Toumpas have been named in their starting 18.

Promoted rookie James Magner and defender Troy Davis are also in the mix to play, having been added to the 25.

Magner and Davis have been named on the seven-man bench, along with rebounder James Strauss, two-gamer Dean Kent, veteran Aaron Davey, big man Jake Spencer and dasher Rohan Bail.

As expected, Melbourne has also lost playmaker Colin Sylvia (suspension) for the next three matches.

Viney was one of Melbourne’s best against the Gold Coast Suns last round. He has played six matches so far in his debut season, having been rested for round five.

Byrnes will miss his first match for the season, after joining the Demons from Geelong at the end of last season.

Trengove, who had an interrupted pre-season after a foot stress fracture, missed last Sunday’s loss at the MCG with a calf injury. Jamar is back in the side after being sidelined for the past two matches with a groin injury.

Jetta has made two appearances this year, but missed rounds five and six through suspension. Toumpas, who was Melbourne’s first pick in last year’s NAB AFL Draft (No.4 overall), played the opening three matches of the season.

Magner, who has starred for Casey in the VFL this year, was promoted to the primary list on Thursday, after co-captain Jack Grimes was placed on the long-term injury list last week.

Davis, now in his third year at the club, is again in the mix to make his AFL debut, after he was an emergency against the Suns.

Round eight Melbourne team

B: Neville Jetta, James Frawley, Dean Terlich

HB: Daniel Nicholson, James Sellar, Colin Garland

C: Jack Trengove, Jordie McKenzie, Michael Evans

HF: Luke Tapscott, Lynden Dunn, Jeremy Howe

F: Max Gawn, Chris Dawes, Jimmy Toumpas

FOLL: Mark Jamar, Matt Jones, Nathan Jones

I/C (from): James Strauss, James Magner, Dean Kent, Aaron Davey, Troy Davis, Jake Spencer, Rohan Bail

IN: Mark Jamar, James Magner, Jack Trengove, Neville Jetta, Troy Davis, Jimmy Toumpas