MELBOURNE youngster Oskar Baker's hopes of a late-season debut have been dashed with the promising midfielder to miss up to six weeks with a hamstring injury 

Baker suffered the injury to his hamstring while playing for Casey against the Northern Blues at Casey Fields on Saturday.

Demons elite performance manager Dave Misson said it was a disappointing setback. 

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"He tried to kick a ball off the ground in the VFL game and it's a pretty reasonable strain so we're looking at the best part of six weeks with that one," Misson told melbournefc.com.au.

Baker has been in excellent form in the VFL and has been around the mark in terms of AFL selection the last six weeks after a mid-season purple patch. 

The young speedster, who would rival Jayden Hunt as the fastest player on Melbourne's list, has averaged 17.7 disposals and kicked 10 goals from 16 matches for Casey this season.

Meanwhile, forward Jake Melksham remains a 50/50 proposition to face Sydney at the MCG on Sunday.

Misson said he would face a fitness test later in the week to determine his availability for this weekend.

Defender Jake Lever, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season after tearing the ACL in his knee, has gone overseas recently and will get stuck into his rehab upon his return.