LUCKLESS Geelong midfielder Nakia Cockatoo has re-injured his troublesome left knee less than 10 minutes into his VFL return on Sunday.

A visibly frustrated Cockatoo was taken to the rooms in the hands of trainers in the early stages of the clash with Sandringham at Trevor Barker Oval.

There were initial fears that Cockatoo had suffered a fresh soft-tissue injury when he clutched his left hamstring, having missed the bulk of 2017 with right hamstring injuries.

However, AFL.com.au understands the 21-year-old has injured the same knee that kept him sidelined since round three.

Cockatoo's comeback from the PCL injury he sustained against West Coast had been delayed in the past fortnight due to illness.

The latest setback is a blow for Cockatoo's hopes of a late-season return, the Cats having devised a plan for him to get much-needed game time in the next month.

In four seasons on Geelong's list, the first-round draft pick has played 34 matches with a spate of hamstring, knee and adductor injuries.

More to come