Wheeler has a foot injury and is scheduled for a specialist appointment early next week.

"There's still a little bit of diagnosis to go, so he'll be home next week and get a second opinion," Pigeons' coach Mark Whiley said of his star midfielder.

The former Williamstown best and fairest played six straight matches with Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Football League, but hasn't played since December 5.

Wheeler and fellow Williamstown life member Leigh Masters were trumpeted in November, 2019, as the club's biggest signings since two-time Coleman medallist and three-time All-Australian Brendan Fevola seven years earlier.

COVID torpedoed the Pigeons' plans last year, but the presence of the duo, along with the recruitment of former VFL big man Lach Howe, return to full fitness of former AFL player Whiley and emergence of a batch of promising youngsters, has raised hopes the club will quickly return to finals after injuries ruined 2019.

The club has built tremendous momentum over the past 16 months, but if Wheeler's injury is serious, it would definitely be deflating.

"It's not the navicular bone, but at this stage we're not certain of the extent of the injury," Whiley explained.

"He definitely won't play any practice matches and is doubtful for round one.

"We should know more early next week after his appointment in Melbourne."

The O and M's pre-season will ramp up on Saturday after a number of clubs played their first games last weekend.

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The Pigeons host Wangaratta Rovers and while it's only a trial, there will be strong interest in the clubs, which are desperate to return to finals.

The Hawks have also landed a host of profile players, including former Tatura mentor Jamason Daniels and ex-captain Tyson Hartwig.