MELBOURNE star pair Jack Viney and Tom McDonald are progressing solidly in their comebacks from long-term foot injuries, and remain on track to return within the next four to five weeks.

The co-captain and key forward were taken out of main training on the eve of the season after having cortisone injections as part of their respective recoveries.

Both Viney and McDonald began running last week, and Melbourne's elite performance manager Dave Misson said the pair will step up the intensity of their training at the club's main session on Thursday.

"Jack Viney and Tom McDonald are on a pretty similar program. Tom's one or two sessions ahead of Jack at the moment. So, we're pretty pleased with how they're tracking," Misson said.

"Jack and Tom McDonald are both going really well and are getting up to 80 or 90 per cent run-throughs this week.

"They're doing a little bit more in boots and are doing some more footy stuff."

Viney developed a stress reaction in his foot late last season and had a limited preparation leading into 2018, with a number of setbacks. 

Before being given "time off legs" a fortnight ago, the midfielder was beginning to experience some pain in a different part of his foot and was having trouble running when wearing football boots.

McDonald, meanwhile, developed some soreness in his toe following the club's first JLT Community Series game against North Melbourne and did not respond to treatment as quickly as hoped.

Misson also revealed youngster Pat McKenna has hit a snag in his return from a long-term hamstring injury.

Both McKenna and Aaron vandenBerg (ankle) remain sidelined indefinitely.

"Unfortunately Patty had a minor setback in the gym last Friday with his medial hamstring – some tightness and maybe a slight tweak," Misson said.

"So, we'll just wind Patty back for a week or two, but hopefully it shouldn't stop him running in a couple of weeks. He was going really well and we think this was only just a minor setback, so hopefully Patty can keep progressing over the next month or so.

"Vanders (vandenBerg) is starting to get some really good volume in his running – doing six, seven or eight kilometre sessions now. Importantly, he's pulling up really well, so we're pleased with his progress."