Essendon have described Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's calf injury as relatively minor, with the Bombers hopeful that he will be ready to play in the opening match of the Marsh Series.

It's a rare piece of better news for the Bombers who have had a tough lead-up to the 2020 season with key players such as Dyson Heppell (foot), Orazio Fantasia (hip), Joe Daniher (groin), Cale Hooker (hip), Tom Bellchambers (knee) and David Zaharakis (ankle) all having interrupted pre-seasons.

Essendon also confirmed on Tuesday that Irish speedster Conor McKenna had returned to Ireland for personal reasons and it remained unclear when he would return.

McDonald-Tipungwuti re-signed with the Bombers until the end of 2022 at the end of last season and his speed and ball use makes Essendon one of the competition's more exciting teams when they are rolling.