Essendon will have a trio of names potentially available for Sunday's clash with Collingwood, as Archie Perkins, Tom Cutler and Aaron Francis press their case for a recall through Round 19.
Perkins (calf) has not featured in Ben Rutten's side since Round 15 due to the ailment, while Cutler (quad) and Francis (hamstring) have endured longer recuperation processes with their respective setbacks.
All three are required to get through the club's main session ahead of the weekend, and will be placed in the selection frame should no issues arise.
“All three of them ticked off really good session on the weekend,” Bombers high-performance manager Sean Murphy told essendonfc.com.au.
“They’re all shaping up really well. They’ve got to get through main training later in the week and then hopefully all three of them will be available to play this weekend.
“All things are looking promising for those three boys.”
Rookie midfielder Ben Hobbs should also be deemed available for selection despite a recent shoulder issue, which has hampered the teenager over the past week.
Murphy detailed that Hobbs has avoided major damage to his shoulder, and will join the aforementioned trio in pressing his case for selection this week.
“’Hobbsy’ copped that heavy knock in the game that needed attention,” Murphy said.
“He’s pulled up pretty well. He’s got to get through main training during the week to see how he gets up for the weekend but all things are looking pretty promising and he should be right to go.”
Star midfielder Darcy Parish, who has not been available since Round 16 due to a calf complaint, is taking further steps in his rehabilitation and will likely make his return in the next month.
“(Darcy’s) up and running now,” Murphy said.
“He’s getting that strength into that calf and getting volume in those legs which is great, but all things going smoothly, we’ll see him in the next three to four weeks.”
The Bombers will face the Magpies at the MCG on Sunday at 3:20pm, looking to snatch their fifth win in six rounds.
