Harley Bennell

The 27-year-old only last week made big inroads at training when he graduated to skills training with the main group after a cautiously monitored pre-season program.

But Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed on Wednesday morning the former Sun and Docker had broken down yet again.

"Harley pulled up sore following a training session on the weekend and scans have shown a low-grade strain in his calf," Mahoney told SEN's website.

The 24-year-old has been battling a chronic calf injury since moving to Fremantle from the Gold Coast at the end of 2015, and is yet to turn out for the Dockers.

Bennell was granted leave by Freo on Friday and reported to club officials that he had consumed alcohol that day, and during a flight from Perth to Melbourne on Saturday.

The former Sun was then due to board a flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast, but was asked by flight staff to remove himself from the plane.

Bennell has not been named in the Dockers' squad for their first NAB Challenge clash against Richmond on Friday at Rushton Park in Mandurah.

The 23-year-old has been in the Dockers' rehab group since Christmas but Lyon said his return to the main group was imminent and he confirmed he would play a pre-season game.