HARLEY Bennell's horror run with calf injuries has continued after the exiled Fremantle star suffered another strain while training at Peel.
Bennell had a scan on his left calf on Wednesday which confirmed a grade one tear in an area unrelated to a previous injury.
The 25-year-old will undertake a 21-day rehabilitation program and continue to train with the Thunder.
Bennell's latest setback has all but dashed his chances of appearing in round one.
He is now highly unlikely to be available for the Dockers' final JLT Community Series clash against West Coast on March 11.
His eight-week suspension from Fremantle is due to expire early next month, although there is no guarantee he will be welcomed back into the fold immediately.
The former Sun was ordered away by Fremantle, fined $15,000 ($5000 suspended) and told to continue seeing a counsellor after being involved in a nightclub incident in early January.
Bennell missed all of 2016 due to issues with his right calf and was sent to Germany in December that year after damaging his "good" left calf during pre-season training.
He sustained a fresh two-month setback with his left calf last April but – after two off-field incidents brought unwanted headlines – he finally made it back to football last July for Peel.
Bennell debuted for Freo in round 22 last year and also played the final game of the season.
The former Gold Coast star is in the final season of his three-year contract at Freo.
