MELBOURNE swingman Tom McDonald is fighting to be fit for Sunday week’s Round 1 clash against Geelong.

Foxfooty.com.au understands McDonald is nursing the early stages of a hotspot in his first metatarsal, rather than the “sore big toe” described by the Demons.

The 25-year-old was a late withdrawal from club’s second JLT Series game on Thursday night against St Kilda and it is believed he will not resume full training until next week at the earliest.

Wary of the dangers associated with toe and foot injuries of a similar nature and with Jack Viney’s constant setbacks front of mind, Melbourne is treating McDonald with care to ensure a stress fracture doesn’t develop.

Round 18

Additionally, the prospect of losing McDonald for the first week of the season pales into insignificance weighed up against losing him for much of the year.

McDonald had been earmarked to play as a permanent forward and occasional ruckman this year, having carved a successful reputation as a defender throughout his career.

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Tom McDonald in action in the AFLX. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

He kicked one goal against North Melbourne on February 24 and notched seven hit-outs in a solid display at Kingston Twin Oval.

Jake Lever’s arrival has allowed Simon Goodwin to shuffle his magnets and throw McDonald into attack, where he kicked multiple goals on six occasions last year.

That included a haul of five majors against West Coast in a thrilling win over West Coast in Round 14.

In other Melbourne injury news, Nathan Jones still hasn’t completely recovered from back spasms he was suffering pre-Christmas.

The veteran midfielder and Melbourne co-captain had an epidural in the days following the Demons’ hard-fought win over St Kilda.

Although the club is adamant its co-captain will be fit to face the Cats, continual management of his back spasms will likely be a constant theme throughout the season.

If he does not play, it would leave the Demons without their two co-captains and leave one of either Jordan Lewis or Max Gawn to skipper the team.

Lewis himself is battling to be fit due to a calf complaint, while Alex Neal-Bullen is expected to be available for selection despite missing Thursday’s match with quad tightness.