MELBOURNE has placed recruit Aidan Riley on the long-term injury list as he recovers from the broken leg he suffered last year.

 

Riley, who played 12 games with Adelaide before joining Melbourne, is progressing well in his recovery but with his return date still 10 weeks away, the decision was made to put him on the long-term injury list.

 

The decision gives Melbourne the flexibility to elevate a rookie in the early part of the season if required.

 

Melbourne has four players on its rookie list - Neville Jetta, Alexis Georgiou, James Harmes and Max King.

Riley, 22, broke his leg against West Coast in round 15 last year. It was his second game of the season after playing five matches in both 2011 and 2012.

He required surgery on a fractured fibula and an injured ankle.

 

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney told AFL.com.au Riley was back running and due to resume full training in about a month.

 

He would therefore have four to six weeks of solid work before being available for selection.

 

Mahoney said the club had decided as soon as it recruited Riley to take a conservative approach with the midfielder, who joined the club as a delisted free agent.

 

Given Melbourne initially forecast a mid-season return for Riley, it is rapt with his progress.

 

"Aidan is comfortable with the steps the club has taken around putting him on the long-term injury list," Mahoney said.

 

At this stage his likely return date is round three of the AFL season or round one for the VFL.

 

He would be most likely to return via Casey, which plays its first game on April 6.

Below: Aidan Riley is helped from the ground after breaking his leg in round 15, 2013. Picture: AFL Media