Fremantle has received positive news relating to Harley Bennell's treatment from calf injury.

The midfielder departed to Munich on Saturday 10 December, where he is seeing internationally renowned soft-tissue expert Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt, and Ross Lyon gave an encouraging update on his progress.

“Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt has treated the best in the world such as Usain Bolt and Kobe Bryant,” Lyon said.

“We got an email through about the treatment and it was really positive. The doctor has identified what he thinks the issue and what he plans to do.

“So that was a really positive email. That email was sent last night from Munich. So without going into a lot of detail we are really optimistic.”

Taken by the Gold Coast with pick 2 in the 2010 National Draft, Bennell came to Fremantle during the trade period after the 2015 season, but is yet to make his debut for the club after missing all of 2016 through injury.

Lyon said Fremantle had to be patient to secure the services of Dr Muller-Wohlfarht, but is confident the visit will be worthwhile.

“We couldn’t get Harley in the first time but we persisted as our aim is to give our players the best treatment possible,” Lyon said.

“Harley has trained hard and there is a lot of speculation, which isn’t ideal. We understand where that speculation comes from but we are really confident he will be playing again.” 

Lyon also hosed cold water on suggestions that the trip to Germany meant Bennell’s injury was more serious, highlighting that former Geelong player Max Rooke and Collingwood’s Ben Reid have also received a similar treatment from Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.

“I don’t think those players went to Germany to save their careers, they went there to get better,” Lyon said.

“At the end of the day he has an injured calf. He is one of our really talented players and someone we want to get on the paddock.”

“I think we have to take it one step at a time. He’ll come back and we will map out a plan. I don’t have a crystal ball. I can’t tell you what Harley will and will not get through. But that is the plan.”

Lyon also confirmed that Zac Clarke has undergone surgery on his knee.

“That happened whilst I was away. He has had ongoing knee issues and he has hurt a ligament in his patella,” Lyon said.

“So it is about six weeks before he is back, mobile and moving. So obviously that isn’t ideal. That is an operation on top of an operation.”