BACKMAN Michael Hibberd will be right to play against GWS Giants at the MCG on Sunday, after copping a corked hamstring last round.

Hibberd suffered the injury during last Sunday’s outstanding 17-point win over the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium, but elite performance manager Dave Misson said the dasher would be available.

Fellow defenders Jayden Hunt (ankle) and Joel Smith (collarbone) will face fitness tests this week.

Co-captain Jack Viney remains on track for a finals return, after being sidelined since round 17 with a toe injury.

2015 best and fairest winner Bernie Vince (AC joint) remains a chance to return deep in the season, along with youngsters Oskar Baker (hamstring) and Lochie Filipovic, who suffered a broken hand playing for Casey last weekend.

Key forward Jesse Hogan (foot), tall Jake Lever (knee), speedster Billy Stretch (toe) and hard-nut Corey Maynard (hip) remain out for the rest of the season, while Harley Balic has retired.

Misson’s assessments

Oskar Baker (hamstring) – 4 weeks

“Oskar is working through his rehab from hamstring injury. He’s probably four weeks away, I reckon.”

Harley Balic (retired)

Announced his retirement in the lead-up to round 20

Lochie Filipovic (hand) – 4-6 weeks

“Unfortunately, he broke his hand in the VFL. He was operated on yesterday (Monday), but he’ll be in a splint for two or three weeks. It’s probably a four to six-week injury. It’s unfortunate for Lochie.”

Michael Hibberd (corked hamstring) – available

“Hibbo came off [during the match against West Coast at Optus Stadium] and wasn’t quite sure out on the ground what had happened. He thought it was a cork, so we got him off, just to investigate. We had a look at the vision on the bench and the medicos saw a definite incident there, where it looked like he’d corked his hamstring. They gave him the full gamut of tests and he went out and played the rest of the game, which he can’t do if it’s a muscle injury. So, we’re pretty confident that it’s just a cork. He’s a little bit sore today (Tuesday), but you’d expect that. We’d hope that each day now he’s going to improve and he’d be available.”

Jesse Hogan (foot) – season

“Jesse, as it’s been reported last week, has that navicular [bone injury] is done for the year.”

Jayden Hunt (ankle) – test

“It has improved a bit, and is improving rapidly every day. He’s done a rehab session today (Tuesday), so he’s a test for this week. He’s probably more unlikely than likely, but it has been improving quite significantly. If it’s not this week, we’d hope it’d be next week.”

Jake Lever (knee) – season

“Jake is obviously done for the year and he’s getting back into his rehab, once he gets back from overseas.”

Corey Maynard (hip) – season

“Corey’s been very good. He had that dual hip operation and has done a couple of good running sessions now and he’s starting to get some volume into his legs.”

Joel Smith (collarbone) – test

“Joel had the operation and had a bit of metal work put in there. He’s running fast and doing some good footy stuff. He’s done some contact today (Tuesday), so he’s a chance to play this week. So, he’ll be a test on the main training session on Thursday.”

Billy Stretch (toe) – season

“Billy is now walking around in the boot, so he’s full weight bearing in the boot. But again, we’re taking that reasonably slow – that stress fracture.”

Bernie Vince (AC joint) – 4-6 weeks

“Bernie’s been quite good. He’s starting to get his range back in his shoulder and he’s been doing some work on the stationary bike, and some weights on the opposite arm, while he’s working on his mobility in his shoulder. We haven’t written Bernie’s year off by any means. So, he’s realistically, probably another month away from playing.”

Jack Viney (toe) – 2 weeks

“Jack’s going really well. He did another really good session yesterday (Monday) with good volume and good speed. He’s starting to do more footy work in his boots, so he’s still on track to play in that first final. It’s given him a lift – the result of the boys on the weekend. But we’re pretty confident that he’s going to be ready.”

Melbourne injury list: round 23

Oskar Baker (hamstring) – 4 weeks
Harley Balic (retired)
Lochie Filipovic (hand) – 4-6 weeks
Michael Hibberd (corked hamstring) – available
Jesse Hogan (foot) – season
Jayden Hunt (ankle) – test
Jake Lever (knee) – season
Corey Maynard (hip) – season
Joel Smith (collarbone) – test
Billy Stretch (toe) – season
Bernie Vince (AC joint) – 4-6 weeks
Jack Viney (toe) – 2 weeks