JESSE Hogan was absent from Melbourne's main training session on Thursday morning but coach Simon Goodwin expects the key forward to face St Kilda on Sunday at Etihad Stadium. 

Meanwhile, fellow Demons star Christian Petracca was on light duties as he continues to build up his training program following surgery on the middle finger on his left hand after suffering a dog bite.

Melbourne expects he too will play.

MATCH PREVIEW: Can the Dees get some momentum going against St Kilda? 

Hogan has been battling a sore knee and a rolled right ankle.

"He rolled his ankle in the third quarter (against Essendon), so that's the bit we're making sure we get right. He had a knock to the knee as well but that's fine," Goodwin told reporters at AAMI Park on Thursday.

"He's really confident that he'll do a little bit tomorrow, but also on Saturday and be ready to go."

The spearhead finished the game against Essendon last Sunday but was clearly hobbled for much of the second half following the injury flare-ups.

Petracca trained away from the main group, spending his time running, and had missed about a week's worth of conditioning.

"It's just making sure we're getting enough load into him and preparing him as best we can for the game. He hasn't handled the ball yet, but he'll do that over the next couple of days and make sure the wound's nice and healed," Goodwin said.

The coach was optimistic about both young guns.

"Internally and speaking to the players, we're confident that both will play," Goodwin said.

Petracca was discharged from hospital on Tuesday morning after five days, having undergone two surgeries for the infected finger he suffered from a bite from one of his pet dogs.

The 22-year-old revealed on Tuesday he risked having his finger amputated if he played in Melbourne's win against Essendon on Sunday.

Forward/midfielder Tim Smith is a big chance to play his first game of the season after strong form for Casey in the VFL, while Josh Wagner could also earn a recall with Christian Salem (broken thumb) sidelined.

Meanwhile, co-captain Jack Viney is expected to return next week, whether that be through the AFL or VFL.

He looked in sparkling form during the match simulation portion of training and appeared to have no issues.

"He was really strong at training today and the plan has been to get him prepared to play AFL footy, similar to Tom McDonald last week," Goodwin said.

"He'll be available to play next week and I guess that's a decision for next week and seeing where the team's at, and making sure he's still getting through all the training as required.

The Dees had struggled to capitalise on Max Gawn's ruck dominance before the 36-point victory over Essendon, but won the clearance battle by 10 against the Bombers.

"Our midfield group have done a lot of work together over the summer and obviously went back to that last week," Goodwin said.

"Connection's a really important part. They work really hard at training with our coaches Benny Matthews and Justin Plapp to formulate that connection and they executed that plan very well last week.

"I think they've seen the blueprint now moving forward as a group about what's required from each other."