HARLEY Bennell's return date from a calf injury is still unknown, with Fremantle consulting calf specialists from around Australia to try and determine the best course of rehabilitation.
Bennell injured his calf playing in the WAFL a week before the AFL season started and has been restricted to walking and stationary ball work at training ever since.
Dockers coach Ross Lyon said the club has consulted Australian Institute of Sport head of physical therapies Craig Purdam to look at the ongoing calf problems that Bennell has experienced.
Lyon said Bennell would not be ready to play any time soon as the Dockers' search for a long-term solution.
"His return to play is not imminent and we're working through it," Lyon said on Wednesday.
"I've got to have that meeting later today. It's not an insignificant period of time. It's not going to be in the next three to four weeks.
"We certainly won't be taking shortcuts, so when he returns will be when we feel he can sustain it. He's had some inherent calf issues over a period of time that have just haunted him a little bit.
"We thought we were on top of it. Clearly we weren't.
"We've gone to the best experts in Australia – the head of the AIS, Craig Purdam. Our guys are mapping out a strong plan and I'll have a meeting later today just to firm that up with Harley and our conditioners.
"It won't be an insignificant period of time, because we don't want to take any risks."
Harley Bennell in his only competitive hit out for the Dockers in the NAB Challenge. Picture: AFL Media
The Dockers had embarked on a 10-week program with Bennell during the pre-season to try to solve his calf issues.
He played in the last game of the NAB Challenge and then dominated in round one of the WAFL, gathering 23 disposals and kicking four goals for Peel Thunder. However he suffered his latest calf injury in that game.
Lyon said it was impossible to put an exact time frame on Bennell's return at this stage. He also could not predict whether he would need games in the WAFL before being ready for AFL action.
"We'll just rehab him first," Lyon said.
"At the end of the day he needs conditioning. But I played Steven Baker off 14 weeks' straight into the Grand Final (at St Kilda). So it can be done. It's about circumstance really."
Lyon said he was disappointed for Bennell, but still had faith that he can be a long-term success story for the Dockers.
"(It's) incredibly disappointing because Harley came over with lots of commentary around him, and deservedly so," Lyon said.
"He had some issues that saw him change clubs and be under some pressure. He's bought in and worked incredibly hard, so I really feel for him.
"But it's more than about the first five weeks of the season. We want Harley to be an eight- to 10-year player with us. We know he's got that level of ability in him and he's committed to do that."
The Dockers have no other major injury concerns heading into Saturday's critical Western Derby.
Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands, Nat Fyfe and Alex Pearce all failed to train on Tuesday, but Lyon said all would be fine for Saturday night.
West Coast has a couple of niggles coming out of the loss to Hawthorn last Sunday and only a six-day break to recover.
Luke Shuey and Liam Duggan both suffered rolled ankles and face fitness tests later in the week. Coach Adam Simpson said they would be given every chance to play.
Brad Sheppard suffered a calf knock but he should be right to play. Simpson said Chris Masten was in the mix to return this week after a solid outing in the WAFL last Friday.
