Joe Daniher is continuing his fitness program away from the club. Picture: AFL Photos

ESSENDON spearhead Joe Daniher is bound for Ireland in an attempt to rectify his groin troubles that threaten to impact a third consecutive season.

Daniher was again unsighted as the Bombers trained at Tullamarine on Thursday, still overcoming groin surgery that ended his 2019 campaign in May.

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The 25-year-old – who endured a failed trade attempt to join Sydney last year – will meet with renowned expert Dr Andy Franklyn-Miller in Dublin.

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"With the rest of the playing group at Coffs Harbour for our pre-season training camp next week, it presented a good opportunity for Joe to return to Ireland to check in with his specialist," Bombers' head of football Dan Richardson said.

"Joe has been progressing well over recent weeks and we hope that this momentum will continue as we enter the next stages of our pre-season campaign."

Daniher has managed just 11 matches in the past two seasons and headlines a long list of pre-season injury concerns that deepened on Thursday.

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Recruit Mitch Hibberd was sent for scans on his left knee after he was carried from the field by trainers during the two-hour session.

The former Roo has been cleared of serious damage as the club await the full outcome of scan results.

There was some positive news with important midfielders Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett stepping up their workloads.

Heppell, who had off-season foot surgery, has been running outdoors in the rehabilitation group and was back on the field during the session.

Essendon skipper Dyson Heppell back running on the track this week for the first time since off-season foot surgery. Hoping to play at least one pre-season game. @AFLcomau pic.twitter.com/LfhHFQPWXr — Callum Twomey (@CalTwomey) January 15, 2020

The skipper is hoping to play in at least one of the Bombers' Marsh Community Series clashes ahead of round one.

Merrett's progress was also encouraging for the club.

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Last year's best-and-fairest winner did little prior to the Bombers' Christmas break as he managed soreness and a foot issue, but he was far more involved on Thursday, splitting time between the main group and running drills on the secondary oval with the diminishing rehabilitation group.

The ball-winner looks on track to feature in Essendon's pre-season campaign, with the Bombers hopeful he will have rejoined the majority of training within the next week or so.

Dashing half-back Mason Redman and experienced midfielder David Zaharakis were also running on the sidelines, while Sam Draper (knee) and James Stewart (groin) continued their respective recoveries from long-term injuries.

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Orazio Fantasia (hip), Dylan Shiel (knee) and Michael Hurley (shoulder) all trained fully after off-season injuries, with Fantasia regaining the pace and lateral movement that he lacked last season as he managed the issue.