KEVIN Sheedy has been sounded out about returning to Essendon, placing further pressure on Mark Thompson remaining at the club.

The Bombers are also close to finalising a deal with Mark Harvey who would replace Simon Goodwin as a senior assistant coach.

The Sheedy/Harvey package would further shore up James Hird's position as senior coach despite him being on the cusp of being sacked a week ago.

ASADA TO FAST TRACK DOPING NOTICES

The Sheedy chase appears to be a winnable one for the Bombers. Sheedy is currently a board member and a paid ambassador at Greater Western Sydney and would need to resign those positions before accepting any role with Essendon.

The Herald Sun has learned key people at Essendon have asked Sheedy to consider an ambassadorial and football role as part of the club rebuilding its standing.

The offer is the second to Sheedy from the embattled Bombers inside 12 months.

Last year the four-time premiership coach met acting chief executive Ray Gunston who offered Sheedy a role which did not allow him access to the football department, a role Sheedy felt insulted by and ultimately rejected. This new role would not place such restrictions.

media_camera Kevin Sheedy and James Hird before a GWS-Essendon clash in 2012.

Essendon chairman Paul Little was keen on Sheedy returning last year and is understood to support this latest push. He did not return calls yesterday.

Thompson remains at the crossroads.

Gold Coast has not listed Thompson as a candidate to replace Guy McKenna, who was sacked two weeks ago.

The former Geelong coach, who was caretaker coach at the Bombers during Hird's 12-month ban, and who received a standing ovation at the club’s recent best and fairest count, may not be at any football club next year.

Thompson's declaration at the B&F two weeks ago that he would find it difficult to walk away from the top role, which effectively had him vying for Hird's job, has put him at odds with the coach.

It's believed Hird and Thompson have not spoken since Thompson left for the United States and Mexico a day after the best and fairest count.

Little said at the count he expected Thompson to remain at the club.

“Bomber has endeared himself to the football public and played a pivotal role in the development of our team for the future,'' Little said. ''We hope to be in a position to announce exciting details about Bomber’s future role in the next few days.”

The probable appointment of premiership-hero Harvey, who first met with Essendon people on the weekend of Round 23 about a role next season, also has the support of Little.