Demon Viney ready to foot it with Power

MELBOURNE co-captain Jack Viney is confident of a return from injury against Port Adelaide on Saturday as he faces a key fitness test today.

The tough midfielder, sidelined since Round 15 after surgery on a plantar fascia injury, said he had so far met every challenge in his recovery.

Viney is among a quartet of Demons the club rated as a chance a return against the Power at the MCG, alongside Dom Tyson (knee), Jack Watts and Christian Salem (both hamstrings).

“The foot is going well. I’ve got a few fitness tests to go, but all going well I’m confident I’ll be able to pass them and then we’ll make a decision after Thursday,’’ Viney said yesterday.

“I’m pretty confident [of playing], but I’m an optimistic person and the physios are a little bit more conservative with how they’re going about things.

“It’s just a balance. I’ve told them to throw things at me and if I can’t pass the test, it’s a no-go.

“But up until now, I’ve been able to do what I need to do to be able to play this weekend. So hopefully it continues.’’

But Viney stressed the club would not take any chances with the injury and risk jeopardising his run towards the finals.

“I’m not going to be stupid about it. The team is the main thing and if I’m going out there and not being able to play to a high level then I’m putting the team under more pressure,’’ he said.