Essendon star Michael Hurley will miss this week's clash with the Gold Coast Suns due to a calf injury.

Hurley sustained the injury during the side's 43-point loss to Adelaide last Saturday night, however, was able to play out the match.

The club is hopeful Hurley will return for the side's Round 23 clash with Fremantle at Etihad Stadium.

“He's had some discomfort in the lead up to this week's match and scans have revealed a low grade strain,” Essendon’s High Performance Manager Justin Crow said.

“It’s a one to two week injury, so at this stage we’re not ruling out Michael from making a return next week against the Dockers.”

The Bombers are currently 10th on the ladder, four points behind the eighth-placed Eagles, with 10 and 10 losses.