Young Bomber Matt Guelfi’s season is over after the 21-year-old suffered an unfortunate knee injury training at The Hangar.

Guelfi has impressed throughout the season in 17 games for the senior side, but the tough midfielder will be forced to the sidelines after undergoing surgery on Tuesday.

“Matt Guelfi in our first session back after the game was diving for a ball, twisted his knee and he has torn his meniscus, which is the cushioning in his knee,” club physical performance manager Justin Crow said on Tuesday.

“He’s gone for surgery for that today to have that repaired and unfortunately for Matt, that will be the end of his season.”

Matt Guelfi has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2019 season. (Image: AFL Photos)

James Stewart’s season is also over after the key forward was sent for surgery on the niggling groin injury that has kept him off the field for most of the year.

“James Stewart had his groin issue and it’s shown only limited improvement through this season, he has now gone for surgery.

“He had that surgery earlier this week and he’ll basically start rehabilitating from that groin surgery in a similar way that Joe (Daniher) has.”

A trio of important Bombers will need to prove their fitness at Essendon’s main training session this week if they are to put their hand up to take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

Captain Dyson Heppell will once again be subjected to a test this Thursday as he looks to return following two weeks out with foot soreness, while exciting youngsters Darcy Parish (concussion) and Aaron Francis (neck) are in the mix to play the Dogs at Marvel Stadium.

Parish failed to play out the side’s loss against Port Adelaide last week after suffering a nasty knock to the head in the opening term, but Francis was able to finish off the game.

“Darcy was assessed and according to the concussion protocol on match day you’re not allowed to return to the game.

“He will be following that concussion protocol through this week and our doctors will make a decision about his availability depending on how he progresses.

“Aaron Francis just had some whiplash in the game, we’ll be monitoring him through this week.”

Aaron Francis suffered whiplash during the side’s loss to Port Adelaide. (Image: AFL Photos)

In-form Bomber Shaun McKernan is on track to return to the line-up following the illness that saw him crucially withdrawn just prior to the start of last week’s game.

“Shaun had an onset of gastro symptoms the night before the game. Those symptoms were at a point on match day where he wasn’t able to play.

“Fortunately, Shaun’s back training this week and should be available.”

Dashing defender Adam Saad – who played out the clash with the Power – is expected to join those on the sidelines for one to two weeks.

“Adam Saad has a low-grade epimysial strain, which is a sheath around the hamstring,” Crow said.

“Usually you would miss two weeks, but he is actually presenting quite well early on so we will be assessing him over the next couple of weeks about when he’s ready to return.”

In better news, Jayden Laverde will be available following a nose injury suffered in the VFL’s defeat of Sandringham, while exciting forward Irving Mosquito is expected to return from a hamstring injury.

“Jayden got a knock to the nose and that was put back into place,” Crow said.

“Irving has had that hamstring rehabilitation and he had the week away (for a funeral in Halls Creek).

“He’s now completed a good amount of training and assuming he gets through main training this week, he’ll be available to play the match.”

Irving Mosquito is expected to make his return from a hamstring injury this week. (Image: AFL Photos)

Experienced Dons Michael Hurley (shoulder) and Tom Bellchambers (calf) are tracking well in their rehabilitation.

Crow estimated Hurley will be available for selection in two to three weeks, with Bellchambers on track to return in three to four weeks.

“We’re seeing more and more of Michael in training drills,” he said.

“We should see him again tomorrow and he’ll be building up what he can do functionally, in terms of football training, as well as getting the final tick-off from the surgeon over the coming weeks.

“The next step for ‘Tommy’ is more running. He’s started that early running progression and we’ll be building that up and seeing how quickly we can get him ready to play.”

Kobe Mutch (knee), Joe Daniher (groin), Devon Smith (knee) and Sam Draper (knee) round out the injury list and Crow is pleased with how each are currently tracking in their rehabilitation.

“All of those players are making progress as expected at this stage.”