Essendon has announced the squad for this week’s game against the Saints.

The coaches have added a number of players to the 25-man squad for Sunday afternoon’s game.

James Polkinghorne, Shaun McKernan, Patty Ambrose, Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford and Conor McKenna are all in line for a return.

There may be two exciting inclusions with both Aaron Francis and Sam Michael in line to make their Bomber debut.

The duo’s inclusion in the squad comes on the back of consistent form for Essendon VFL.

If chosen, Michael will play in his only fourth game of AFL football since joining the Bombers at the start of the year.

It will mark a remarkable return to football for the ex-Lion, who was delisted by the Club in 2014 and spent the 2015 season playing in the NEAFL.

McKernan and Michael will likely be a replacement for Essendon’s injured ruckman Matthew Leuenberger and Mark Jamar.

Mathew Stokes, David Zaharakis and Jason Ashby will also miss this week’s game.

FULL SQUAD:

IN: J.Polkinghorne, S.McKernan, S.Michael, P.Ambrose, J.Laverde, K.Langford, A.Francis, C.McKenna

OUT: M.Jamar (suspended), M.Stokes (Groin), M.Leuenberger (Knee), D.Zaharakis (Suspension), J.Ashby (Omitted)

NEW: A. Francis

B: M Dea, M Hartley, A McDonald-Tipungwuti

HB: C Dempsey, S Michael, J Gwilt

C: M Gleeson, Z Merrett, O Fantasia

HF: W Hams, J Daniher, J Kelly

F: P Ambrose, M Brown, A Cooney

Foll: S McKernan, C Bird, B Goddard

IC From: D Parish, A Francis, J Merrett, K Langford, J Laverde, C McKenna, J Polkinghorne