Essendon General Manager of Football Dan Richardson has provided an injury update on midfielder Zach Merrett and forward Joe Daniher.
Richardson had some good news for Bombers fans, saying Merrett who suffered an ankle injury at training last week and has fashioned a moon boot is recovering faster than the club had hoped.
"He's still in the moon boot, but he's progressing quite well," Richardson told SEN Breakfast.
"Unfortunately, you get a couple of injuries at this time of the year as your intensity at training is really taking a step up and you have to do that to prepare players for the rigors of the season.
"Zach's had a really strong body of work up until now so we're confident that even though his training will be interrupted for a few weeks, he's got a good grounding under his belt and it shouldn't have too big an affect.
"Zach's a pro so he may be out of the moon boot a bit sooner than we may have initially anticipated so that's a good sign."
Richardson also provided an update on forward Joe Daniher who has been battling a groin injury.
The 24-year old played the opening seven games of the 2018 season before being ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
Richardson said Daniher is on track to return to full training if he continues his encouraging progress.
"He's progressing well" Richardson told SEN Breakfast.
"He's started doing a little bit more ball work type stuff, very limited at this stage, but we feel comfortable with the progression he's making.
"It's an injury that is difficult to put a timeline on, but if Joe continues to progress that way he is and the symptoms font flare up again, we would hope that joining into full training is within site, without putting a definitive time frame on that.
Essendon take on GWS in their 2019 season opener on March 24th at Spotless Stadium.
