MELBOURNE youngster Jesse Hogan has experienced a further setback in his quest to make his AFL debut.

Hogan, 19, has been nursing stress reactions in his back since the pre-season and is yet to return to full training, placing serious doubt on when he will play in 2014.

The Demons acknowledged his back had not responded to the initial rehabilitation program but remain confident he will return in a month.

Key Melbourne personnel will meet with Hogan and his management next week to plan the weeks ahead.

The Demons' key forward stocks have taken a battering this year, with Hogan struggling with his back, Mitch Clark retiring earlier this month and Chris Dawes starting slowly after battling with a calf injury.

However, Dawes has made an impact since returning a fortnight ago, while the Demons have also had some success playing All Australian defender James Frawley as a forward.

Hogan was taken in the 2012 mini-draft as a 17-year-old and last year played VFL with Casey, booting 39 goals and winning the club's best and fairest award.