Melbourne’s dismal start to the season is going from bad to worse with star defender Jake Lever set for surgery and eight weeks on the sidelines.

The crucial AFL key defender came off early with a rolled ankle against North Melbourne in Round 2 and has not been fit to play since, despite the club having played down concerns in recent weeks.

The Demons thought Lever was a chance to return as recently as last week against Geelong, but have now confirmed he will not be available for some time, as first revealed by 7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary.

“Key defender Jake Lever will undergo surgery on his troublesome ankle,” Cleary said.

“After meeting his surgeon today, he is expected to miss the next eight weeks.”

Melbourne fitness boss Selwyn Griffith provided an update on Lever on Monday.

“We’ve been looking to manage Jake conservatively, and he’s done a power of work to try to get up for each game, but due to a lack of function and continued pain, he hasn’t been able to do that,” Griffith told the club’s website.

“As part of our management process, we sought some expert opinions. He saw a surgeon today and, unfortunately for Jake, he will now undergo surgical intervention and he’ll likely be out for approximately eight weeks.”

In better news for the Dees, first-round draftee Xavier Lindsay is a chance to return this weekend, pending a fitness test for the low-grade medial ligament injury he suffered in Round 3.

“Xavier had a great training session over the weekend,” Griffith said.

“He’ll look to integrate this week with determination of his availability after Thursday’s main training session.”

Meantime young Demons Koltyn Tholstrup and Luker Kentfield are both available for selection after completing their rehab programs.

“Both Luker and Koltyn have returned to full training, so they’re both available for selection,” Griffith said.

“Our VFL team have a bye this weekend, but they’re both training really well.”