MELBOURNE has booked forward Dean Kent in for shoulder surgery on Tuesday, bringing an end to his 2017 season.

The Demons had kept the door open for Kent to return this season after he dislocated his left shoulder against Adelaide at TIO Stadium in Darwin in round 17.

However, Kent has been experiencing pain in his shoulder while running and Demons elite performance manager Dave Misson said the club had decided surgery is the best option.

"He's having surgery on that shoulder tomorrow (Tuesday), so that'll put him out for the rest of the year, but hopefully set him up for a good pre-season," Misson told melbournefc.com.au.

Kent played six games this season and was dropped twice as he failed to establish himself across half-forward in coach Simon Goodwin's line-up.

Having served his six-game suspension for striking Sydney's Callum Mills, Tom Bugg is set to return via Casey this weekend as he tries to work his way back into the senior team before finals.

"He's been in a pretty solid training program for the last six weeks,” Misson said.

"To be honest, he hasn't put a foot wrong and he’s worked really hard. 

"He's very much looking forward to getting back out on the playing field this week for Casey."

Demons co-captain Jack Viney arrived at the club on crutches on Monday morning, but it's not uncommon for players to be put in moonboots or crutches the day after a game to remove some load, according to Misson.

Viney has been pulling up sore after games following the surgery he had on the plantar fascia in his foot in July.

Melbourne is not ruling out star forward Jesse Hogan as he continues his rehab from a broken collarbone.

Hogan started running last week and Misson said Hogan was 2-3 weeks away from a return.

"Jesse's tracking really well. He's starting to do more running in footy out on the track," he said. 

"He's starting to lift heavier [weights] in the gym, but he's still got a few boxes to tick."