Melbourne coach Mark Neeld says defender Jack Watts is likely to return for Sunday's Indigenous Round clash with Fremantle at Patersons Stadium.

The former number one draft pick has missed the past three matches with a hamstring injury.

“Jack Watts should be available next week, so that’s good,” Neeld said on melbournefc.com.au.

“That gives us another player coming out of the backline like Dean Terlich. We certainly like having the footy in Jack’s hands."

Melbourne will still be without Colin Sylvia, who is suspended, while the Demons' highest picks from last year's draft, Jimmy Toumpas and Jack Viney, will both miss through injury.