The unlucky 21-year-old, whose three-year career has been beset with injuries, missed Friday night's NAB Cup loss to West Coast after hurting himself at training, but he is a chance to play in the club's NAB Challenge match scheduled for Saturday, February 27.
"We will ease him back into things and hopefully get him back on track again sooner rather than later," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton told the club's official website.
"It's probably a bit early to call, but it is looking more unlikely than likely for Gumbleton to line up in the challenge match - but it's still early days and he is tracking well so you never know."
Gumbleton is on a modified training load that will be gradually increased.
The club is optimistic about his prognosis given Jason Winderlich's recovery from a similar problem last year after undergoing back surgery.
"Winderlich also had one or two scares along the way including a back spasm so we are hoping it is the same with Scott because he is freeing right up at the moment," Hamilton said.
Ruckman David Hille took another step towards a round-one return from his knee reconstruction with a positive showing in the Bendigo Bombers' intra-club on Friday night.
Hille has featured in two intra-club games this month and looks on track to face Geelong on March 26.
"He's cleared all the hurdles up to this point with his rehabilitation, so if he keeps going down this track, we'd be pretty confident he could line up," coach Matthew Knights said recently.
"He's a leader of this football club and he's got a big, strong body, which is really important against the really good sides in the competition."
Jason Laycock, who has been battling a calf complaint, and David Myers (hamstring) also had a run in the seconds hit-out last week.
Both players have been elevated from the injury list after pulling up well from the match at Windy Hill.
