Former Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove is defying the odds and on the verge of playing again as he targets an unlikely AFL comeback.
The Demons have confirmed that Trengove will most likely return on Friday in an intraclub match for VFL affiliates Casey.
It was feared a serious foot injury could have ended Trengove's career.
The Demons were negotiating a trade to Richmond after the 2014 season when a routine medical examination revealed his navicular bone injury had flared again.
Trengove needed another bout of surgery and has not played in the AFL since round two, 2014.
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The No.2 draft pick is a popular figure at Melbourne and hopes are high that he can return to their senior team.
"We expect at this stage Jack Trengove will play (on Friday)," football manager Josh Mahoney told the Herald Sun.
"It's been a long journey for Jack and he has been positive the whole way through (his rehabilitation), which I think has helped him get to the stage that he is at now.
"There will be a few more milestones for Jack to get over yet, but it is certainly exciting."
