Contracted until the end of 2018 and placed on the Hawks' long-term injury list in early July, club chief Stuart Fox confirmed that Hawthorn would not seek salary cap relief for the 29-year-old as he continues to focus on his health.

While both club and player have stressed that football remained secondary to his recovery, the shared view is that Roughead's ongoing presence at the club has been beneficial for both Roughead and the Hawks.

Earlier this year the club had made inquiries with the AFL regarding potential forms of salary cap relief for the two-time All-Australian, but Fox said that was no longer a consideration and the Hawks never officially sought a response from the league.

Essendon sought and received permission from the AFL to automatically place Adam Ramanauskas on their rookie list as that player sought cancer treatment in a one-off move which was sanctioned by all other clubs.

"It's business as usual," Fox told Fairfax Media. "He (Roughead) will remain on our list.

"Our attitude is we want to focus on getting him well, and on his health and welfare. Primarily, clearly, we want him to get better and in that context football concerns are totally irrelevant to us.

"Jarryd is at the club most days and going some general fitness work and has been pretty active."

Having re-signed veteran Sam Mitchell earlier this season and more recently Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Josh Gibson; the Hawks face on-going salary cap pressure and remain a strong contender for the signature of Swans midfielder Tom Mitchell.

But Fox stressed the club's total player payments remained "completely irrelevant" where Roughead was concerned.

"We believe our environment is an ideal place for Jarryd and his health and his welfare and we want him here."

Roughead cannot return to full training until next May, but is continuing to work on rehabilitating his knee after PCL surgery in January.

Last year, Roughead had a melanoma removed from his lip and he learnt in May that the cancer had spread to his lungs.

Having completed three months of revolutionary and debilitating immunotherapy treatment, he is now undergoing less aggressive ongoing treatment which will continue for a further eight months.

The highly sensitive question of whether he will return to the game he has served with distinction over 231 games is not one the Hawks' hierarchy will address but the player himself has continued his battle with that hope in mind.

While the club and player remain cautious regarding his diagnosis, it is understood the treatment has provided some positive signs.

The Hawks placed Roughead, who has also been mentoring James Sicily, on their long-term injury list only about six weeks after his treatment began when Ryan Burton was removed from that list.