MELBOURNE small forward Charlie Spargo will be unavailable for selection this week after breaking his jaw in the VFL at the weekend.

Spargo had a small plate inserted into his face to help repair a minor crack in his jaw which he sustained in Saturday's VFL practice match against Geelong in Werribee. 

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The Demons are hopeful the small forward, who was dropped after the club's round one loss to Port Adelaide, will only be sidelined for one match. 

"Charlie had a whack to the jaw in the VFL game on Saturday. He's got a little fracture there that was operated on last night (Monday)," Demons elite performance manager David Misson said.

"He had a plate put in that, so he'll miss this week but is likely to play next week." 

Spargo did not train on Tuesday but, depending on his pain threshold and how well the injury heals, he will look to prove his fitness for round four on the training track next week. 

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Melbourne has missed the presence of a damaging small forward over the first two rounds of the season, with Jeff Garlett (shoulder) and Mitch Hannan (knee) both sidelined by injury.

However, Garlett trained strongly at Gosch's Paddock on Tuesday and tested the shoulder out in a series of drills with rehab coach Daniel Cross before joining in full training. 

Garlett, who dislocated his right shoulder against Richmond in the Demons' opening JLT Community Series game in Shepparton in early March, could come into selection contention either in the VFL or AFL this week. 

Corey Wagner, who played well against the Cats in the VFL, could also be recalled for Friday night's game against Essendon at the MCG.

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