Defender Mason Redman looms as a likely inclusion for Essendon's Round 18 clash with Richmond.
The 27-year-old hasn't played since Round 12 due to a hamstring injury and will prove a crucial reinforcement for a side plagued by injuries.
โWe'll see how he trains,โ coach Brad Scott said.
โHe's progressed really well and quite understandably, we've been cautious with him but if he gets through training today, we expect him to play but we'll take a no-risks approach.โ
Jye Caldwell's syndesmosis injury opens the door for a potential Elijah Tsatas return, having averaged 34 disposals in seven VFL appearances this year in between four AFL appearances.
โOne part of the ground we have some options is the midfield,โ the coach said.
โElijah's had some difficult assignments over the last period of time whether it be travelling emergency, u-turn on the Tullamarine freeway emergency, and performed well, held up his end of the bargain so he's right in the mix.โ
Scott also spoke about the positivity surrounding Nik Cox, with his season confirmed to be over during the week, but his career has been allowed to continue after being assessed by an expert concussion panel.
โWe don't see it as devastating, we see it as really encouraging,โ Scott said.
โWe would have been very unlikely to play him this year just because it's been a long recovery from his concussion and he's still had, albeit mild, some symptoms.
โSo he's at a point where we need him symptom free for a good month and then get a couple of months training into him which rules out this year anyway.
โThe news we were hoping for was that he would be cleared to continue his career and that's the news we received so it's actually given Coxy a bit of a boost.
โFor a pretty mild-mannered guy, he's more optimistic than he's been for a couple of months.โ
