GEELONG'S comeback kid Daniel Menzel needs to play at least one more week in the VFL before being seriously considered for senior selection, according to coach Chris Scott.
Scott has been impressed with the 23-year-old's performance in the VFL since he made his long-awaited return against Werribee in the middle of July.
However he said last week the club would err on the side of caution in its decisions around when he would make a senior return.
Given Menzel returning after four knee reconstructions and hamstring problems in the early part of the season, Scott has been determined to keep a lid on expectations.
But the lid is not far from being lifted.
"We're thinking harder about it," Scott said.
"He'll definitely play in the VFL this week and then I think we're at the point where we start to make some selection decisions."
The talented Menzel has not played a senior game since the 2011 qualifying final and would break Docker Anthony Morabito's unwanted record among current players of most days between games that stands at three years and 299 days if he were to play between now and the end of the season.
Geelong plays St Kilda at Etihad Stadium next week, followed by Collingwood at the MCG and then finishes the season at home against Adelaide.
Scott is continuing to pour cold water on those getting too excited about when he might return.
"[I'm] by no means guaranteeing he'll play AFL football the week after this one but it's the first week we'll be starting to consider it," Scott said.