JESSE Hogan was not out on the track with his Melbourne teammates on Wednesday as the forward continues to recover from surgery to remove testicular cancer earlier this month.

It is understood Hogan instead did a light session in the gym as the Demons ensure he has the appropriate conditioning before returning to the field. 

Hogan remains an outside chance to face Collingwood in round 12, but the star forward's return to the field will not be rushed, with the Demons adamant he will return when he is physically and mentally ready.

Ruckman Max Gawn took a couple of steps forward in his recovery from the serious hamstring injury he suffered in round three against Geelong, with the star big man completing a lengthy rehab session. 

The Demons are hopeful Gawn will be ready to resume in rounds 13 or 14, but he remains at least another week away from joining his teammates in the main training group.

Gawn spent the majority of a two-hour training session working with rehab coach Daniel Cross and teammate Joel Smith, who is coming back from a shoulder injury. 

Wearing a distinctive Melbourne beanie, Gawn did full-ground running drills, which incorporated plenty of ball work, change of direction work around cones and at the end of the session, some ruck work as well.

Fellow big man Jake Spencer is closer to a return than Gawn, with the back-up ruckman completing the majority of the drills with the main training group.

Spencer did not join in the contact-based match simulation transition drills, but moved well early in training as the Dees had a focus on skills and moving the footy in tight spaces.

In positive signs, Angus Brayshaw also completed most of the drills with teammates after he suffered his fourth concussion in the last 12 months while playing in the VFL earlier this month.

Melbourne is yet to set a return date for Brayshaw, and contact was off-limits at training on Wednesday, but they were good signs nonetheless. 

Defender Jake Melksham had his right hand checked out by doctors but after having it taped he finished the session. 

The Demons will have a few days off during their bye period before returning to the club early next week in preparation for a Queen's Birthday showdown against Collingwood on June 12.