Things off the field keep stacking up against Fremantle, with a new setback to comeback plans for top young defender Alex Pearce.

As Dockers management and players come to terms over the latest controversy with troubled recruit Harley Bennell, it has emerged Pearce is headed for a longer recovery from a broken leg than expected.

Further surgery to his broken bone has not been ruled out after scans last week revealed the emerging defender's wound had not healed well.

Another alarming complication for Pearce is a nasty infection in his leg from screws in a plate along the bone intended to assist recovery.