Former Essendon great Mark Harvey is in the running to take up the position as the club's interim coach.

Harvey, who played 206 games for the Bombers from 1984 to 1997, is a contender for the job following the 12-month suspension of head coach James Hird amid the club's supplements scandal.

No Lion here: Former Lions assistant and head Fremantle coach Mark Harvey is in the running to return home to Essendon. Credit:Getty Images

Sources close to the club said Harvey, who was in Perth when contacted by the club, would fly to Melbourne overnight for talks.

Harvey was coy last month when questioned over a potential role at Essendon, suggesting he hadn't made any decision regarding his future.