FREMANTLE expects to keep gun midfielder Lachie Neale, football manager Chris Bond says.

AFL.com.au reported in early April that contract talks with the 22-year-old had not yet begun.

The South Australian's contract expires at season's end, but Bond said signing Neale should not be a difficult task.

"I don't think (it will be difficult for the Dockers to keep Neale), but it's not done until it's done," Bond told ABC Radio on Saturday.

"If you look at where we want to go and what we want to do, Lachie is part of that."

Bond said contract talks are not on hold.

"I think you'll find there will be ongoing communication between (list manager) Brad Lloyd and (Neale's) management. We'll just wait and see."

Neale was drafted at No. 58 in 2011, and was nominated for last year's All Australian squad.

Meanwhile, Bond said the decision to rule Fyfe out for the season was made by club doctors.

"It's a medical call. The doctors came and said 'the best thing for him is to make sure he doesn't play'," Bond said.

The Brownlow medallist had a plate inserted in his leg after surgery on a fractured fibula in his left leg sustained in last year's preliminary final against Hawthorn.

He suffered the same injury in Fremantle's round five loss to Carlton.

The Dockers meet the Hawks at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon.