Melbourne will test key defender Steven May this week for a potential return just 12 days on from fracturing ribs and suffering a minor vertebrae injury in a heavy collision against the Hawks.

Dees coach Simon Goodwin told reporters on Monday that the Indigenous star defender was tracking well and is expected to play against the Crows to kick of Gather Round in Adelaide on Thursday.

May was initially expected to face a longer stint on the sideline following a brutal collision with Hawthorn's Mabior Chol in round two.

Steven May has been subbed out of the game following this incident involving Mabior Chol.#AFLHawksDees pic.twitter.com/nnUDEdtzzH

— AFL (@AFL) March 23, 2024

Melbourne were quick to rule him out Saturday's win against Port, but were optimistic of a quick recovery.

"We're really hopeful that he'll play the following week against Adelaide," Goodwin said late last week.

"He's tough...anyone that's had a crack in their ribs will understand that they are painful.

"Sneezing, coughing, laughing - all those things can cause you a fair bit of grief.

"But once you can tolerate the pain they are things that lots of players have played with previously.

May will be given as much time as possible to prove fit.

"He's going really well. So we'll test him out fully on Wednesday, but we're certainly very confident that and expect him to be available. But we won't take a risk...but everything's trending towards that," Goodwin said on Monday.

"Nothing surprises me with Steve. That's the type of player he is. He's a high competitor.

"Right from the moment it happened, he was keen to get himself going as quickly as possible. And he's in a great position today. He's feeling healthy. He's feeling free in his movement, but he won't know right till Wednesday whether he's right to play."