The Demons have asked the AFL for approval to play Clark and co-captain Jack Trengove that week while the AFL team has a bye leading into its round one clash against Port Adelaide.
Casey Scorpions are playing Port Melbourne at Casey Fields next week.
A hit-out would be crucial to their chances of playing in round one although no decision would be made on that until the week of the game.
Clark has not played since round 13 last year, when he suffered a serious foot injury against Greater Western Sydney while Trengove started a rehabilitation program in early December after a stress fracture was discovered in his foot.
Trengove hungry to lead Demons into battle
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney said there was still some water to pass under the bridge before the pair was selected to play in next weekend’s practice match.
"[They are] doing quite a significant session tomorrow and all things going well and they pull up well from that, we will have a look at it early [next] week," Mahoney said.
"It is definitely something we are considering."
Clark and Trengove are crucial to Melbourne's set-up and have been training well, but the club remains reluctant at this stage to lock them in for the VFL practice match.
Mahoney said ideally, the duo would play in the game before being considered for round one but he did not discount either of them being available even without a game under their belts.
"Once a player is cleared to play by the medical staff and the fitness staff and they look at the loads they have done, then it becomes a match committee decision," Mahoney said.
Ruckman Max Gawn is progressing well in his return from a knee reconstruction and a hamstring injury but the club is likely to wait a couple of weeks to give him the green light.
Recruit Chris Dawes (hamstring) remains in contention for round one but the club is taking a cautious approach as he returns from rehabilitation.
Mitch Clark is a forward in NAB AFL Fantasy. He averaged 74.55 points in 2012. Register your team at our AFL Fantasy Hub.
