MELBOURNE is hopeful first-year midfielder Angus Brayshaw will be fit to play against Essendon on Saturday despite returning from Darwin on Sunday morning in a neck brace.

Brayshaw injured his neck while attempting to tackle Eagles opponent Sharrod Wellingham in the first quarter of Saturday night's game against West Coast at TIO Stadium.

The 19-year-old was taken to a Darwin hospital for precautionary reasons after the game and Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said he would be monitored in the lead-up to Saturday's game.

"As a precaution, Angus had a neck brace on following the game," Mahoney told the club's website.

"He has had a number of scans and he has been cleared of any damage.

"He will now be treated for concussion symptoms through the week and be monitored."

Heritier Lumumba, who missed Saturday night's game with a foot complaint, should be fit to return.

The Demons are still deciding whether to bring hard-nosed midfielder Aaron vandenBerg straight back into the senior team after missing a month with a hamstring injury.

VandenBerg, who was elevated off the rookie list before the start of the season, was averaging 17.5 disposals until he sustained the injury against Collingwood on the Queen's Birthday.