MELBOURNE'S key forward stocks have been dealt a blow with Chris Dawes injuring his calf at training on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old has been on a modified program since Christmas after experiencing soreness through his lower leg area.

Demons get fiery in match practice

"Today during training he had an incident where he hurt his calf, he will be scanned on Wednesday to confirm any damage," Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said.

Dawes has had a history of calf issues and managed just 14 games in 2015.

He even sought advice about his troublesome calves from specialists at the Australian Institute of Sport in 2014. 

The key forward's contract expires at the end of this season.

With Dawes' availability for the start of the season up in the air, it was interesting to note that Sam Frost was training as the second tall forward option alongside Jesse Hogan in Tuesday's match simulation.

Frost played only the first three games of the season at Melbourne last year before being sidelined due to a long-term toe injury.