Viney confident of return for Port clash

JACK Viney is hoping to ditch his crutches well ahead of his injury prognosis to help ensure Melbourne makes its first finals campaign in 11 years.

The Demons’ skipper hobbled out of his side’s round-15 match with a foot injury, but is eyeing a return in Round 18.

He has undergone surgery and has not yet to put weight on his injured leg, but that has not stopped Viney setting the ambitious time frame.

“I’m going to try and get up for the Port Adelaide game,” he said yesterday.

Melbourne originally listed Viney as unavailable for four to six weeks with the plantar fascia complaint.

“We’re just taking it day by day,” he said.

“We’re just seeing how my pain is and what I’m able to do and go from there.

“I’m just into rehab at the moment to try and get off the crutches.

“Hopefully, within the next couple of days, I’ll be off those. Then, I’ll walk around for a couple of days and then I’ll get into some running and I’ll be back before you know it.”

Sunday’s tight win over Carlton was the first time Viney had missed a game through injury in more than two years.

He revealed he was playing through pain in his foot for “a year or so” before the tear.

“I’ve just been managing it and then it just gave way during the Sydney game,” he said.

“I just went into surgery to get it fully done and on to recovery.”

The 23-year-old will not travel to Darwin for Saturday’s meeting with Adelaide.

The Demons, fifth with a 9-6 record, are on track for September, but face healthy competition to play off in the finals.