Harley Bennell's hopes of a return to the AFL have hit another hurdle after suffering a calf strain while training with Peel Thunder.
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A scan on Thursday revealed the Docker had a grade one tear in his left calf muscle, leaving him in serious doubt for the start of the season.
Fremantle said the injury is unrelated to previous calf injuries he has struggled to overcome since his debut in 2011, although extreme caution will be taken with his recovery.
Bennell will continue to train with Peel as he undergoes a three-week rehabilitation on the injury.
The 25-year-old was banished to the WAFL side for eight weeks and fined $15,000 after failing to attend Fremantle's first training session of the year after an incident at a local nightclub.
The midfielder has been limited to just two games for Fremantle after being traded by the Gold Coast at the end of the 2015 season.
Bennell was the number two pick in the 2010 draft and has played 83 games and kicked 95 goals in his stalled AFL career.
