While the Brisbane Lions sweat on the availability of midfield stars Simon Black and Brent Moloney, their opponents Melbourne have been dealt further injury blows over the weekend.

David Rodan and Tom Couch sustained hamstring injuries during the Casey Scorpions’ VFL match against Werribee last Sunday, which will keep both out for the next 2-3 matches.

Former Lion Joel Macdonald, who has been sidelined with a foot injury since Round 11, also sustained a groin injury, leaving him in doubt for a senior recall.

Meanwhile, Neville Jetta (concussion), James Sellar (concussion) and Troy Davis (ribs) will also have to pass fitness tests if they’re to be considered for senior selection.

Acting general manager of football operations, Josh Mahoney, said Rodan and Couch would be sidelined for the next few weeks, while Jetta, Sellar and Davis will face fitness tests this week.

“We had a number of injuries come out of that game,” acting General Manager of Football Operations Josh Mahoney told melbournefc.com.au on Tuesday.

“At this stage, we’d expect James (Sellar) and Troy (Davis) to be OK for this week, and David (Rodan) and Tom (Couch) will go through the usual hamstring program.”

The news comes after regular senior players Rohan Bail (knee), Mark Jamar (foot) and Michael Evans (foot) were ruled out for a further 3-4 weeks with their respective ailments.

In better news for the Demons, midfield pair Jordie McKenzie and Jack Viney look set for a return to senior action after getting through Sunday’s VFL game unscathed.

Viney has shown in limited games that he is certain to be a star of the future, while McKenzie is one of Melbourne’s leaders.

Ruckman Jake Spencer is also available for selection this round, after serving a three match suspension.

Former Lion Mitch Clark remains the biggest name on the Demons’ injury list, sidelined indefinitely with a foot complaint.

Melbourne’ full Round 17 injury list is provided below courtesy of melbournefc.com.au:

Round 17 Melbourne Injury List
Rohan Bail (knee) – 2-3 weeks
Mitch Clark (foot) – indefinite
Tom Couch (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
Troy Davis (ribs) – test
Michael Evans (foot) – 3 weeks
Mark Jamar (foot) – 3 weeks
Neville Jetta (concussion) – test
Joel Macdonald (groin) – test
David Rodan (hamstring) – 2-3 weeks
James Sellar (concussion) – test
Nathan Stark (ankle) – 1-2 weeks