THE RECOVERY of Melbourne co-captain Jack Viney from a toe injury is going slower than expected, with the tough midfielder yet to resume running as he bids to return this year.

Meanwhile, defender Michael Hibberd is pushing to return before the end of the home and away season.

Viney, 24, experienced early signs of bone stress after round 16 in the same toe on his right foot that forced him to miss the first eight rounds of 2018.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said last week Viney would start running at the end of that week, but that timeframe has been pushed back.

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"Jack hasn't quite started running yet, so his return to play will be a bit dictated by his reloading," elite performance manager David Misson told melbournefc.com.au.

"Clinically, he's looking a lot better and we're hoping to start him running either late this week or early next week."

Hibberd, who was named in last year's Virgin Australia AFL All Australian team, faces a race against time to help the sixth-placed Dees in their bid for finals.

"Hibbo has been doing some good stuff in rehab – some good running. He's probably still two to three weeks away," Misson said.

The 28-year-old was ruled out in the lead-up to Melbourne's agonising loss to Geelong a fortnight ago after hurting himself at training.

Gold Coast (MCG), Sydney (MCG), West Coast (Optus Stadium) and Greater Western Sydney (MCG) are the Demons' opponents in the remaining rounds.