MELBOURNE ruckman Mark Jamar will join full training soon as competition for the club's main ruck spot intensifies.

A foot injury sidelined Jamar from round 11 last season giving opportunities to Jake Spencer and Max Gawn to challenge for the position.

However Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told AFL.com.au Jamar had enjoyed a good period since returning to training in January and would join the main group by the end of the month.

"He has gradually been taking on more loads and doing more training and he's got to the stage where he is starting to feel comfortable with it [the foot] and getting involved in training," Mahoney said.

Jamar trained with the rehab group on Wednesday at Gosch's Paddock, looking strong as he joined Mitch Clark, Jesse Hogan, Chris Dawes and Gawn in some straight line running.

He is expected to be available for selection during the NAB Challenge Series that kicks off for Melbourne against Richmond on February 14 at Etihad Stadium.

The club has taken a cautious approach with the 30-year-old, ensuring he reached specific recovery targets before taking the next step.

He shapes as an important player with his rucking prowess critical to the performance of a midfield that was bolstered during the end of season exchange period.

Spencer told melbournefc.com earlier this month he was eyeing off the number one ruck spot and felt he might be more advanced than Jamar and Gawn at this stage of the pre-season, having more kilometres in his legs.

Mahoney said such competitiveness was healthy as the club neared the end of pre-season.

"[There are] a number of ruckman who could play that role and with the competition there is that brings the best out of them," Mahoney said. "It's good for everyone."

Jamar has been the club's number one ruckman for several seasons, earning All Australian honours in 2010.

He signed a contract tying him to the club until the end of 2015, but injury has meant he played just 23 games in the past two seasons.