Essendon captain Dyson Heppell is a likely inclusion for the Bombers’ clash with Gold Coast this weekend.
The 29-year-old fractured his left thumb during the side’s loss to Sydney, with the club expecting him to be available assuming he passes a fitness test.
In even better news for the Bombers, midfielder Andrew McGrath is also closing in on a return.
It was feared his season might be over when he suffered a PCL injury against Richmond.
The club stated on Wednesday afternoon that McGrath could feature at AFL level again this season, potentially for their Round 23 meeting with Collingwood.
Jye Caldwell is in a similar boat and could also play against the Magpies.