MELBOURNE forward Jeff Garlett is battling a skin infection on the lower part of his right leg, with the club unsure if the 27-year-old will miss any football.

He only came down with the affliction on Sunday night.

Garlett walked into the club on crutches on Monday morning, and had his foot and ankle bandaged.

His infection is not contagious.

The Demons sit in ninth spot and could make the finals if they win their remaining two matches against Carlton and Geelong and if North Melbourne loses to the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney.

Garlett kicked two goals in the win against Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night.

He missed two matches early in the season after he rolled his left ankle at training. Garlett signed a deal in May to keep him at the club until the end of the 2019 season.