GEELONG'S mounting concern over Daniel Menzel's latest injury has intensified, with Chris Scott admitting the star forward won't be available in the short-term.

Scott confirmed Menzel will be sidelined for a fourth consecutive match, joining Scott Selwood and Brandan Parfitt in missing Saturday's clash against Essendon.

Originally managed with a groin niggle before a reaction to an injection, Menzel hasn't trained since the Cats' round five win over Port Adelaide.

"I'm concerned, but I don't really know," the Cats coach said on Thursday.

"I think it's always a little more concerning when it is so uncertain.

"This is a bizarre situation that is hard to get clarity on. The prevailing view is that it will come good and it's not going to be something that plagues him long-term.

"He's managed a groin problem virtually his whole career. He's a lot better than what he was in the first week or two, but still not good enough to train. That doesn't lead me to believe he'll be available in the short-term.

"He needs to get some training under his belt. Whether that extends to VFL footy will depend on how he trains."

Selwood continues to manage a back injury that saw him a late withdrawal for last week's win against Collingwood.



While Selwood missed Thursday's main session, Parfitt completed straight-line running away from teammates as he works his way back from a stress reaction in his foot.



New cult figure Esava Ratugolea was on light duties ahead of back-to-back six-day breaks, Scott saying he may be in line for a rest after six straight matches.

"He's in a big group of players that we will be careful with … a big group of players that won't play every week."

First-year forward Lachie Fogarty, who was "managed" last week, is still no certainty to return against the Bombers as he overcomes an "accumulation" of soreness from his first seven matches.



Joel Selwood and Jed Bews – both of whom picked up second-half corkies last week – will play.

Scott reiterated his stance that he would be extra wary of the 2-6 Bombers, who enter the clash at the MCG after a week of turmoil.

"We regard them rightly as a team that played finals last year, made the top eight in an 18-team competition, beat Adelaide early in the year and beat Port Adelaide as well," he said.

"They've had an average month and a challenging fixture. You just don't beat Adelaide and Port Adelaide if you're hopeless.

"We're really wary of what they can do at their best. It wasn't hard to dig up some vision of them playing damaging footy that will be challenging for us."

Nakia Cockatoo had his left knee strapped as he joined in part of Thursday's session, ramping up his return from a round three PCL injury.

Cam Guthrie (ankle) and Lachie Henderson (knee) were also on the track after recent surgeries.

Scott said Lincoln McCarthy would need two-to-four weeks in the VFL before pressing his case for senior selection after an impressive return last week.

Draftee Charlie Constable, who was concussed in the VFL, will sit out.

"We're always careful with concussion but our first-year players, I reckon we've left them out with a sore toenail at some stages," Scott said.