MELBOURNE'S injury woes are starting to abate, with young star Jesse Hogan among the key players on the cusp of returning after this week's bye. 

The Demons, who have been hit hard by injury in the first half of the season, should regain Hogan (hamstring) and flexible defender Colin Garland (hand) when they face West Coast in round 14. 

• The injury list: Your club's sidelined players

"Jesse Hogan has completed a number of running sessions on Sunday morning and again on Tuesday, so we expect him to be available after the break for the match in Darwin," football manager Josh Mahoney told the club's website.

Garland broke his hand in the Queen's Birthday game against Collingwood and underwent surgery after playing out the game. He has now been cleared to return.

Small forward Jay Kennedy-Harris is also set to return against the Eagles.

"Jay has played two games back from his groin injury," Mahoney said.

"His first game was in the Development League and then he played in the VFL on the weekend, so we expect him to be available."

The Demons expect Jack Grimes, who broke his thumb in round 11, to return earlier than expected after receiving some good news early in his recovery.

Grimes is still listed as a six to eight week prospect, while Christian Salem (hamstring) and Aaron vandenBerg (hamstring) should return in the next month.