Bombers Injury Concerns

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has revealed a few of his side's injury concerns ahead of the Bombers clash with the Dogs on Friday night.

Nathan Lovett-Murray is a chance after a foot injury, while Jake Melksham is only 50-50 due to an ankle injury.

Ricky Dyson is an outside chance with a knee problem, while after a month out Kyle Reimers may return via the VFL following a thumb injury.

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Cheap McVeigh Will Miss Round 3

Press release from Essendon:
Mark McVeigh will remain in hospital under observation for a fifth night but is expected to be released tomorrow (Friday).

General manager of football operations said the 29-year-old is recovering well but is unlikely to attend the game on Saturday.

"Mark is feeling much better which is great and he has had plenty of visitors from the club which has kept his spirits up," Hamilton said.

"Naturally he is very disappointed about not being able to play against one of our fiercest rivals this weekend. Hopefully he will be back and ready to play in Round 4."

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McVeigh Battling Infection

Essendon cheap $268k midfielder Mark McVeigh appears unlikely to play next weekend after being hospitalised with an infected arm.

McVeigh, who had a troubled 2009, is owned by almost 14,000 DT coaches.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said: “Mark is still struggling a little bit.

"His fever has come down but he's obviously still in recovery mode and he'll be in hospital until he feels good enough to come out.

“It's not an ideal preparation for the week ahead and we've just got to monitor that with our medical staff and Mark as the week goes on.”

When asked if McVeigh was a chance to play Knights was cool in response.

“It is probably tough to say at the moment," he said. "If he stays in hospital for another day or two it is probably unlikely, but if he gets out this afternoon we'll have a look at it.

"It's just one of those scenarios. We'll make a decision on that probably tomorrow.”

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McVeigh Confirmed To Return

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has confirmed cheap $268k midfielder Mark McVeigh will return after suspension this weekend.

Knights said: "He'll come straight into the line-up this weekend.

"It'll be great to have Mark back in the team. He played with Bendigo last weekend and performed really well.

"It's quite frustrating for him after having a great summer that he had to sit out and watch that Geelong game last Friday night.

$202k forward Jay Neagle had an ankle injury scare on the weekend but Knights added: "Injury-wise we're fine.

"Jay Neagle's fine, his ankle pulled up really well and he'll do a little bit of light training today and we'll assume he'll be right to train on Thursday."

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Ryder Out For 3 Weeks

Popular Essendon $323k defender Paddy Ryder will miss the rest of the DreamTeam season due to a 3 week knee injury sustained on the weekend.

Ryder, who is owned by almost 50,000 DT coaches, injured the muscle behind his knee late in the Bombers' thrilling win over St Kilda on Sunday.

"There was some concern that Paddy had sustained ligament damage so we are happy to learn his injury isn't anything more serious," Essendon footy operations manager Paul Hamilton said.

"Unfortunately he will miss at least a couple of weeks as the muscle behind his knee heals which is obviously a blow for the side."

There was other injury news from Windy Hill today, with $224k defender Courtenay Dempsey ruled out for 2 weeks with a hamstring injury. $307k defender Dustin Fletcher has been cleared of any serious damage to his hamstring, but is in doubt for the weekend's match with Freo, while Bachar Houli will miss the rest of the season with a fractured fibula.

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Lloyd Gone Next Week, At Least

Essendon's $285k forward Matty Lloyd will miss next week and perhaps a few more games after sustained a heel injury in today's loss to Richmond.

Speaking after the game, Essendon coach Matty Knights said, "It's hard to know with those heels. I'm not that experienced myself with those injuries.

"Bruce Reid [club doctor] said it will be definitely next week, and couldn't guarantee the week after.

"It could be a little bit of time so we'll just wait and see."

Essendon travel across the Nullarbor next week to face the Eagles at Subi in Round 18.

Knights added Alwyn Davey was fine despite copping a heavy knock, while Jobe Watson and Mark McVeigh were 'a good chance' to play next week after receiving corked thighs.

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Monfries Out For Two

Essendon's cut-price $305k forward Angus Monfries will miss at least two games of footy due to a hamstring strain.

Monfries, owned by over 8,000 DT coaches, underwent MRI scans after tweaking the injury in Friday's loss to Collingwood.

The Bombers are relieved the injury is only minor but his absence is still a blow.

Essendon footy operations manager Paul Hamilton said, “We are disappointed because Gus has been in good form and has been providing a bit of inspiration to his team-mates in terms of workrate.

“He has been fairly durable over his career in regards to injuries but it is only a very minor strain and we will hopefully see him back out there soon.”

In better news for the Bombers, gun $378k midfielder Jobe Watson should pass a fitness test later in the week to be available for the Round 15 game against Sydney after an ankle injury.

Also $318k midfielder Mark McVeigh should return to the line-up after an internal suspension despite missing Bendigo's VFL match on the weekend due to general soreness.

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McPhee Doubtful For Pies

Essendon's popular $288k DT def/forward Adam McPhee is facing a race against time to be fit for Friday's Collingwood game due to a calfed cork.

McPhee, owned by almost 20,000 DT coaches, missed Essendon's last match against Carlton due to the calf problem and is still struggling with the injury.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said on Tuesday, "He must train well today. I spoke to him about half an hour ago and I said, 'You would have to train at full throttle and get through the session to be put up for selection.'

"That's probably still a question mark at this stage with Adam. I won't be playing him unless he's 100 per cent fit."

Meanwhile, fellow Bomber Mark McVeigh will not play against the Magpies after copping a one-match internal suspension for missing a training session.

$318k midfielder McVeigh, who has only recently returned from injury, missed the Carlton game through suspension before skipping a club training session on Sunday, forcing the Bombers to discipline him.

All this could open the door for $134k defender Michael Hurley, owned by over 15,000 DT coaches, after he impressed in the reserves on the weekend.

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Watson To Miss 2 Weeks

Scans on Essendon's $379k midfielder Jobe Watson's injured ankle have revealed damage which will see him out for two weeks of action.

The Bombers star midfielder, owned by over 8,500 DT coaches, suffered the ankle injury late in the first-half meaning he only scored 53 on Friday.

But after having scans done on Watson's ankle on Saturday morning, it was revealed he had sustained strained ligaments and muscle damage.

Essendon footy operations manager Paul Hamilton said, "The scans have provided some good news in that Jobe hasn't suffered a major injury.

"Jobe was feeling pretty sore after the game but our medical staff have all the advice they need and are confident he will not miss too much footy. He will rest his ankle this week and we will see how quickly he recovers and confirm a more definite return date for him then.

"Jobe is an extremely important part of our young side so it is disappointing to lose him for important clashes with Collingwood and Sydney but we will give him the time he needs to fully recover."

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McPhee To Face Test

Essendon's popular $288k def/forward Adam McPhee will face a test later in the week to prove his fitness for the Bombers' Friday clash with Carlton.

McPhee, owned by almost 20,000 DT coaches, hurt his calf in Essendon's win over Melbourne last Friday but played on and should probably be okay for this weekend.

Essendon's $368k midfielder Brent Prismall will also face a test after copping a nasty ribs injury against the Demons

But like McPhee, Prismall played on against Melbourne so it's likely he would be okay to play his third game for the Bombers. Prismall's lofty price has scared off many DT coaches, but with a breakeven of 108 this weekend his value could drop to an affordable level with his third game coming up.

Other news from Windy Hill is popular $134k defender Michael Hurley's (owned by over 15,000 DT coaches) return from injury is likely to be through the VFL.

Bombers coach Matthew Knights said, "When I see Michael's name up on the magnet board, it's very enticing to put him in for a big game against Carlton.

"He's a young player we think a lot of. The reality is, he hasn't played a game of football yet in five or six weeks. He'll play in the VFL this week, between 80 to 90 minutes, as will Tom Bellchambers."

Bellchambers, a $139k ruck, is owned by over 5,000 DT coaches and hasn't played since Round 10 due to a knee injury.

Essendon also revealed $308k def/midfielder Bachar Houli would probably miss out again due to a virus, while Henry Slattery and Nathan Lovett-Murray were both close to a recall after injury and suspension respectively.

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McVeigh Report Worries Knights

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has admitted he's worried about star midfielder Mark McVeigh's availability in the next few weeks after being reported in Friday's win over Melbourne.

McVeigh, a $321k midfielder, was reported in the third term of the Demons clash after striking Melbourne's Jared Rivers.

Knights said after the game, “We’d love to have him available for Carlton and Collingwood [in the next two weeks] … so it would be disappointing if he was rubbed out.

“I must admit I’d just come down from the box just before the break and I saw the scuffle break out.

“I was just preferring that our boys kept themselves out of trouble [but] that wasn’t the case.

“I haven’t seen the incident live yet, so I’ll have a look at that when I go home tonight. I’ve just got to see how it looks.”

McVeigh, a star man at Windy Hill, has only just returned to the AFL after a long layoff with injury. His slow recovery from injury has meant his DT value is sliding into a good price but this latest suspension setback may put off potential suitors.

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Changes At Windy Hill

Essendon coach Matthew Knights has revealed a couple of senior Bombers are in the mix to return for Friday's AFL match against Melbourne.

Knights claimed $255k veteran defender Dustin Fletcher (leg), $396k midfielder Jason Winderlich (ankle) and $338k club stalwart Andrew Welsh (leg) were close to returning after injuries.

"All will play on Friday night, pending today's (Tuesday's) training session," Knights admitted, including $306k youngster Kyle Reimers who returned in Round 11 after injury.

Knights added, "Fletcher will come in, it's been seven weeks now for Dustin, he's had a good three or four weeks on the training track, so he'll come into the side.

"We're looking to bring Andrew Welsh back in, which has been a marvellous comeback.

"Jason's (Winderlich) first major training session is today – if he gets through he'll come back into the 22."

And in more positive news, the Bombers coach also revealed $214k midfielder Henry Slattery was close to a return but perhaps doubtful for Friday's game after a hamstring problem.

"Slattery would have to really impress me today to come into the team," Knights said.

In other injury news, Essendon also made it known big $222k ruckman Jason Laycock will miss the rest of the season with the foot injury he's been battling.

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