Brendan Fevola is understood to be dealing with his self-destructive demons in a rehabilitation clinic as Brisbane Lions officials sort out what to do with the troubled AFL star.

With his career again hanging by a thread following an ugly New Year's arrest, it's believed Fevola has checked himself into a clinic to gain professional treatment for his deep-seated problems.

The Lions will resume training for the 2011 premiership season on Monday without him and coach Michael Voss will voice the club's first comments since he was charged with public nuisance and obstructing police.

Fevola, who has battled alcohol and gambling problems throughout his 204-match career, requested and was granted indefinite leave on the weekend.

With the AFL fast losing patience with the serial offender and waiting on a detailed report from Brisbane, club officials began discussions about the delicate nature of Fevola's future.

While the 29-year-old full-forward spent Saturday morning in the Brisbane Watchhouse, sources say he spent Sunday being treated for mental health issues surrounding his self-destructive behaviour.

He was seen leaving the watchhouse with his left wrist bandaged.

Neither the club nor Fevola's management company, Velocity Sports, would comment but it's understood those close to him are concerned by his welfare.

Velocity Sports director Peter Blucher would not confirm nor deny his high-profile client was in a clinic.

"It's a private matter and not for me to say. I'd be negligent if I did," he said. "My job on this is to help."

The Lions would likely be saved upwards of $1.6 million over the next two years if Fevola was deregistered by the AFL.

But if not, the payment issue is complicated and its unclear whether they would have to pay him out if they tore up his heavily back-ended contract and if it would be included under the salary cap.

Brisbane's off-field staff return to work on Tuesday and the board is expected to sit in the coming days.

Fevola had looked set to be cut loose by the club after the indecent exposure allegations in September, which saw him suspended indefinitely and barred from the Lions best and fairest dinner.

At the time, new Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson stressed heavy-handed action would be taken.

The gung-ho reaction has been shelved this time as the club decides whether they can afford to keep, or lose, a highly-paid trouble maker.

Ironically, Fevola's last tweet before his New Year's celebrations was: 'Goodbye 2010 thank God! Bring on 2011 Lions will roar again'.

Fevola was celebrating with Lions teammates when he was arrested for abusing elite police officers after they ordered him off the road at Fortitude Valley.

It's alleged he threatened members of the public safety response team when approached, yelling: 'Come on, take your hat and badge off, I'll smash you.'

It gives further weight to the view Voss's late-2009 gamble to sign Fevola from Carlton is the worst trade of all time.

The Blues had run out of patience following his drunken Brownlow Medal antics, and now the deal's fallout has ultimately cost Brisbane the likes of Daniel Bradshaw, Michael Rischitelli, Lachy Henderson, a second round draft pick and large public support.

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