Jake Stringer is on a modified program due to a groin complaint and is expected to return to full training in the new year.
The electric Essendon midfielder’s 2022 season was interrupted by numerous issues, although he played the final 11 games of the year.
He managed a groin injury towards the back end of the season, which is understood to still be hampering him.
New Essendon GM of performance Daniel McPherson admits Stringer has got plenty to do, but stated early signs have been encouraging from the 28-year-old.
“Yeah Jake’s going okay, he finished the season with some groin issues and he's worked his way through that over the off-season,” McPherson - who was appointed in early November – told SEN Mornings.
“What has been impressive about Jake is he was here a lot earlier than he needed to be or required to be. His first official day he was due back was yesterday, but we’ve seen him regularly over the last three or four weeks.
“He’s putting in some work to get himself up to speed, obviously we don’t need him playing in the next three or four weeks, we’re looking at a bit of a longer game for Jake.
“He’s got a bit of work to do but he’s progressing pretty nicely at the moment.”
Stringer also battled a hamstring injury in 2022, a season in which he played 15 games.
2022 was a drop-off from the year before for Stringer. The former Bulldog polled eight votes in the final nine rounds of 2021 with some game-changing performances, yet didn’t have the same influence in the year just gone.
Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes suggested Stringer’s frame could be behind the star Bomber not getting the most out of himself.
“He just looks too heavy. I say this a lot and I get smashed for saying it, but I saw pictures of him coming back to training and he looks 10 kilograms too heavy from where he should be,” Cornes told SEN Sportsday.
“No wonder why Jake Stringer hasn’t got to Christian Petracca levels when you could argue the talent is equal, but that’s what he’s going to have to live with and perhaps he just doesn’t want to be the best he can be.”
Meanwhile, Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy added he was “really concerned” for Stringer’s 2023 season.
“We’ve had too many examples over the years of them (grin injuries) hanging out right throughout the season,” the former Swan explained.
New Essendon coach Brad Scott has been tasked with running a tougher pre-season for Bombers players after the club’s external review found players were not fit enough.