Two weeks ago, Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said Heritier Lumumba had been "totally cleared" of concussion and was expected to resume training on Monday.

But as the balance of the Demons' list returned to pre-season training, Lumumba was a high-profile absentee, with the veteran still not satisfied that he is ready to put his head in danger as he seeks to make a comeback from the knocks that thwarted his 2016 campaign. The rebounding defender – who turned 30 last week – last played at AFL level in round six this year, appearing only once thereafter in the VFL. His season was prematurely ended after he suffered another head knock in his comeback match with the Demons' VFL affiliate Casey.

No show: Heritier Lumumba was not present at Melbourne training. Credit:Wayne Taylor

While former Hawthorn champion Jordan Lewis slotted in with his new teammates at Gosch's Paddock on Monday, Lumumba was nowhere to be seen. The Demons said the 2010 Collingwood premiership backman was still collecting more medical information before making a decision about his future. It's understood the eccentric former Magpie has a relatively high threshold he wishes to meet before he is willing to take to the track.

Lumumba has played 24 games for the Demons since being traded from the Magpies – where he played 199 games – at the end of 2014. He is entering the final year of a three-year contract at Melbourne.