Luckless Melbourne forward Ricky Petterd has injured his hamstring in an intra-club game.

Demons coach Dean Bailey said it was believed Thursday's injury would only be a small setback for the 22-year-old.

"He's got a real minor strain, but I'm not even sure you'd grade it," Bailey told the club's website.

"Hopefully it's a little bit of back-related stuff, but we'll treat it like it's a hamstring.

"His pre-season was very good, Rick. He's got a great recovery attitude.

"He's had his shoulder (injury) and he's a ripping young bloke.

"If he misses one or two weeks, it's not going to stop him from having a good pre-season. He's been training very well the last six weeks."

Petterd sat out the last 16 games of 2010 after needing shoulder surgery.

In his debut 2007 season, he was restricted to nine games by a serious lung injury, while in 2008 he managed just two matches because of groin problems.

New skipper Brad Green was rested from the intra-club hit-out due to illness, but is expected to be ready for the club's opening pre-season fixture against Adelaide and Port Adelaide on February 11.

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