TOM McDonald will be available for selection at both AFL and VFL level this week, after recovering from a foot injury.

Elite performance manager Dave Misson confirmed the key tall’s availability, after McDonald trained with the VFL group on Thursday morning, but said Dean Kent would miss at least four weeks with a hamstring injury.

The forward sustained the injury in the second quarter of Melbourne’s 46-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on ANZAC Day Eve, with scans confirming its severity on Wednesday.

Co-captain Jack Viney, who is also recovering from a foot injury, is now two to four weeks away from returning.

Despite missing last week with a broken hand, vice-captain Jordan Lewis will be available to take on Essendon this week, as will Sam Frost after pulling up well from an adductor strain.

Tomas Bugg (hip) and Jay Kennedy Harris (shoulder) also recovered well, following minor injuries in Sunday’s VFL match for the Casey Demons. Both will be available this week.

The news isn’t as good for Mitch King, with scans confirming medial ligament damage in his elbow. The ruckman, who also suffered the injury in Sunday’s VFL match, will miss at least four weeks.

And midfielder Corey Maynard could miss up to five weeks with a hip injury.

Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) is now tracking well for a second half of the season return, while Pat McKenna (hamstring) is continuing to progress after a recent hiccup.

With a short five-day turnaround between matches, Misson said the focus will be on recovery ahead of Sunday’s clash against Essendon.

“We had a really light run today, and will do so again Saturday morning, and we’ll look to put a competitive team out for Sunday’s game,” he said.

Misson’s injury assessments

Dean Kent (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
“Kenty was the obvious one. Just before half time he went over a ground-ball and felt his hamstring. He’s had scans on that and it’s probably a four to six-week injury.”

Tom McDonald (foot) – available
“Tom trained well with the VFL group today and he’s available to play AFL or VFL this weekend.”

Jack Viney (foot) – 2-4 weeks
“Jack had his first session with the group for a while today. He’s really happy with how he moved – he did some marking and change of direction stuff – his foot’s feeling really comfortable. We need to get a good block of training into him before he plays, but it’s two to four weeks.”

Jordan Lewis (hand) – available
“Jordy was another one who trained with the VFL group today, and he’ll be available this weekend.”

Sam Frost (adductor) – available
“Sam missed the VFL game against Richmond with a slight adductor strain, but again, he’s done two sessions. He fully trained today, and he’ll be ready to go.”

Tomas Bugg (hip) – available
“Tom just got crunched in a tackle and jammed his hip, which was pretty sore, on Sunday against Richmond, and he couldn’t continue after half time. He’s rehabbed that really well and recovered well. He trained with the group today, so he’ll be right to go as well.”

Jay Kennedy Harris (shoulder) – available
“Jay just copped a knock on his shoulder. He played the game out and was a little bit sore after the game, but he’s had a good week on the training track and he’s ready to go.”

Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 6 weeks
“Aaron’s going really well. He’s putting together some great sessions – running fast and doing more and more footy work. He hasn’t trained and obviously played for a long time, so we’re conscious about setting him up to have a good back end of the year. He’s probably six weeks away from a playing a game. We’re hoping to maybe get a couple of games into him prior to the bye, and then for him to really launch his year after that mid-season break.”

Pat McKenna (hamstring) indefinite
“Patty’s continuing to run outside. Again, it’s about getting some consistent sessions into him out on the training track, but he’s going pretty well at the moment.”

Mitch King (elbow) – 4-6 weeks
“Mitch unfortunately had a pretty nasty elbow incident. He’s got some damage to his medial ligament in the elbow, so he’s probably going to miss at least four weeks, maybe a bit longer. He won’t be able to do much for a couple of weeks, as he’s in a brace. We’ll look after him and make sure we set him up for a good back end of the year.”

Corey Maynard (hip) – 3-5 weeks
“Corey’s had a sore hip for a little while. He’s been trying to push through that, but it’s just been getting sorer. We’re going to have a period of time where we unload Corey and try and get the pain away from that hip, and then reload him again. He’s probably three to five weeks.”

Melbourne injury list: round six

Tomas Bugg (hip) – available
Sam Frost (adductor) – available
Dean Kent (hamstring) – 4-6 weeks
Jay Kennedy Harris (shoulder) – available
Mitch King (elbow) – 4-6 weeks
Jordan Lewis (hand) – available
Corey Maynard (hip) – 3-4 weeks
Tom McDonald (foot) – available
Pat McKenna (hamstring) – indefinite
Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) – 6 weeks
Jack Viney (foot) – 2-3 weeks