GIANTS recruit Brett Deledio will miss the start of the AFL premiership season after re-aggravating a calf injury.

Deledio was nearing a return to the field but suffered a setback this week.

Speaking after the JLT Community Series match at Blacktown, coach Leon Cameron said he expects to have a clearer picture of how long the 29-year old will be sidelined early next week.

"He had six really good weeks with us then hurt his calf a few weeks back, then he looked like he was going to get going again, but he's re-injured it," he said.

"It's disappointing for him, it's always hard when you're a new player from another club that wants to get out there and impress.

"He just wants to get out there and play, as a professional athlete, so it was disappointing to cop that news during the week."

Deledio originally hurt his calf in early February and Cameron said he has faith the club's rehabilitation experts can work their magic on the former Tiger.

"I'm confident that our medical staff are doing all the right things," he said.

“Yes, over the last two years he's had setbacks in terms of his Achilles, calves and quads, but I'm confident they can get him right," he said. 

"It's about finding out what he can and can't do at this stage, but we're confident that he can get up and running and play some good footy for us."

Cameron said the GIANTS wouldn't be looking at placing Deledio on the long-term injury list.

"Right now we've got a full book other than a couple of injuries; Brett is one of them and Matt de Boer (hamstring) is the other, that aren't available to play round one," Cameron said.