Essendon will welcome the return of midfielder Andrew McGrath for Friday night's match with St Kilda, who are also expecting to regain key personnel.
While McGrath will make his return after being a late omission from last week's loss to Carlton with an adductor injury, the Bombers won't have Darcy Parish for the encounter.
Parish suffered a corked calf in Round 13 and had been placed as a test to prove his fitness ahead of Friday's clash at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon high performance manager Sean Murphy confirmed McGrath's inclusion, but stressed more focus will need to be placed on Parish's recovery before a call is made on his selection status.
โHe (McGrath) had that lower adductor injury and just couldnโt quite get up for the game,โ Murphy toldย Dons Digital.ย
โHeโll be available this weekend, itโll be great to have him back in the team.
โโDarceโ had that calf cork, which he copped at the very first centre bounce.
โIt just got progressively worse and he was subbed out of the game."
On Thursday morning, Essendon coach Ben Rutten confirmed Parish would miss selection, with a return likely to come next week against West Coast.
The Bombers could also weigh up handing a debut to mid-season draftee Massimo D'Ambrosio this week, with the dashing defender having been prolific in his debut with Essendon's VFL side against the Blues over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Saints are set to welcome reinforcements of their own, with Jack Billings and Hunter Clark set to return after stints in the VFL.
Billings was omitted from Brett Ratten's side to face North Melbourne in Round 11, while Clark is yet to feature at senior level this season due to injury and isolation.
The duo will face the Bombers as Ratten is forced to fill spots for duoย Mitchito Owens and Dan McKenzie, who both suffered concussion last week against the Lions.
"Hunter Clark will come back tomorrow night, and Billings," Saint Jade Gresham told RSN.
"They're experienced players, we're happy to get them back. They've been laying really good in the VFL.
"We're excited to get the boys back and hopefully they can play their role for the team."
Ratten confirmed on Thursday that young midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will also come into the side, while Zak Jones will hold his place despite a hamstring issue in Round 13.
Saints skipper Jack Steele is a chance to return from shoulder surgery in next week's bout with Sydney at the SCG.
The Saints will host Essendon at Marvel Stadium at 7:50pm (AEST) on Friday night for Spud's game.
