Orazio Fantasia is looking very unlikely to face the Pies on ANZAC Day as he struggles to overcome a calf injury.
Fantasia, who returned to Essendon's line up in Round 3 after a knee injury sustained in the preseason, could only manage to run laps during the main training session on Sunday.
Coach John Worsfold has also conceded on Monday morning that the small forward is in serious doubt.
"He's pushing to try and get up, but at this stage it looks like he'll probably miss," Worsfold told SEN.
"We will obviously assess him again tomorrow and just get a feel for where he's at and then it comes down to the medical call in association with how Fantasia is feeling. At this stage he's unlikely."
With the Bombers only having a four-day turnaround for Sunday's clash against Melbourne, Worsfold is adamant that it wont be factored in.
"We really just look at if they're available for Wednesday and treat this really in isolation and treat this like any other game, disregarding whatโs happening in the next week," he said.
"So if they're available and in our best team, they'll be selected and then we'll deal with the outcome of that on Thursday.
"You can do some planning and then players pull up sore and that flips everything on its head."
If Fantasia doesn't get up for the game against the Pies, his speed and class in attack will be sorely missed.
Jackson Merrett could come into contention if Fantasia doesn't play, in what would be his first senior game since 2016.
