Jack Trengove returns to AFL for Melbourne Demons after more than two years out

Melbourne confirmed the exciting news on their website on Thursday morning.

Trengove has not played at the top level since round two in 2014, having battled a serious and ongoing foot injury during the two years since.

But after 797 days in the wilderness, and some strong recent form in the VFL, the former Dees co-captain will finally play his 82nd AFL game on Saturday.

Demons coach Paul Roos said it was "a great story and an unbelievable story".

"His last game was round two, 2014, so it was a fair while ago. He comes in, in really, really good form and I'm pretty excited about seeing him play," Roos said.

"There were times when I'm sure he wouldn't have thought he'd play again and the medical staff and coaches were uncertain – even if they were optimistic, but you never want to get pessimistic with things like that."

Prior to suffering his career-threatening foot stress fractures, Trengove was one of the Demons' most promising and talented on-ballers.

The last two-and-a-half years would have been enough for most players to lose hope, but Roos said the former No.2 draft pick had been "unbelievably positive" on the road to recovery.

"He's such a high-quality person and to go through what he's gone through – I haven't seen him down or not smiling. He's impacted the club positively over the last couple of years and he's been unbelievable really," he said.

"So that's why it's so pleasing that he's back and he's getting a game. He's worked his way into some terrific form.

"I'm sure the players will be excited for him – there's no doubt – because he's an ex-captain of the footy club and he's extremely popular. No one likes to see anyone go through injuries and when it's someone so popular, you feel for them and go through the journey with them a bit.

"To see them come out the other end and play the game – the players are pretty excited about it."

Trengove came close to being traded to Richmond in the 2014 post-season, before medical testing at the Tigers revealed he still had significant issues with his troublesome foot.

Roos was surprised by how quickly the 24-year-old returned to the senior side.

"It's so hard to tell with that injury that I don't think anyone really knew," he said.

"I think you need to remain positive, but it was really unknown how he was going to come out and when he was going to come out [and play again].

"I definitely feel like he's probably three or four weeks ahead of what I thought. I was thinking around the bye or the second half of the season, so he's done a terrific job to get back as quickly as what he's done – that's the biggest thing that hits me when he's playing this weekend."