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A nine-day break between BBL matches has opened the door for Aaron Finch to return from injury but the Melbourne Renegades won't rush their skipper's comeback.

The Melbourne Renegades are in no rush to bring captain Aaron Finch back into their line-up, despite a nine-day break between Big Bash League fixtures.

Finch hasn't featured for the Renegades this summer due to the knee injury he carried through Australia's successful Twenty20 World Cup campaign in the UAE.

In his absence Melbourne have slipped to the bottom of the competition ladder after back-to-back defeats including Monday's five-wicket loss to Brisbane Heat on the Gold Coast.

Opener Mackenzie Harvey top-scored for the Renegades at Metricon Stadium but his 71 wasn't enough to prevent the Heat reaching a victory target of 141 with 19 balls to spare.

While Finch is a good chance to return for the December 22 clash against Perth Scorchers at Marvel Stadium, Harvey said no-one is putting any pressure on the 35-year-old.

"We're hoping, but again that's up to him," Harvey said.

"He's been away from his family for a while.

"Hopefully he can be back but we understand if he's not."

The Renegades also went into Monday's game without James Pattinson (soreness) but the ex-Test quick is expected to be fit to face the Scorchers.

In Finch's absence, Nic Maddinson captained the Renegades in his first appearance following his off-season switch from the Melbourne Stars.

Harvey said Maddinson, fresh from leading Australia A to a final session victory over the England Lions in a three-day tour match in Brisbane on Sunday, had impressed his new teammates with his leadership.

"He's a really good captain. I reckon he's pretty close to Finchy," Harvey said.

"Finchy is more watching you in the field and making sure you're in the perfect spot whereas Maddo is a bit more laidback, but they've still got the same amount of cricket knowledge.

"To add him into our batting lineup is something that we really looked forward to at the start of the game."

The Renegades return to Melbourne on Tuesday from Queensland with over a week until they host the Scorchers.