FREMANTLE midfielder Harley Bennell suffered a "meltdown" when he re-injured his calf, Dockers coach Ross Lyon has revealed. 

The 24-year-old began training with the Dockers' full squad nearly three weeks ago after missing more than a year with repeated calf injuries. 

Lyon said Bennell hit rock bottom when his incredibly bad run with injury took another turn.

"He's had some slips and the biggest slips where he's really self-destructing (was) when his calf blew up again," Lyon told Channel Nine on Monday night.

"He had a two-week period where he had a meltdown, where he was really struggling. 

"It was self-harming, there was no harm to anyone else. He needed to get some support and gather himself, and he's done that. 

"He understands he's walking a tightrope but, for me, he's been fantastic bar that self-harm period." 

Bennell is yet to debut with the Dockers since joining the club from Gold Coast in the 2015 NAB AFL Trade Period.

Lyon said Bennell remained on track to make his long-awaited return in WAFL affiliate Peel Thunder's game against East Perth this Saturday. 

The 185cm midfielder was named, but did not play, in Peel's reserves squad at the weekend in a deliberate tactic to help him qualify for WAFL finals. 

AFL-listed players must be named in five games through the season at either league or reserves level to be eligible for finals.

Peel has six matches remaining before the WAFL finals. 

Bennell made his last appearance for Peel in March last year and he last played an AFL game in round 22, 2015 against Port Adelaide.