Essendon has placed Jonathan Simpkin on the Long Term Injury List following his hamstring injury against Sydney last week.

The premiership midfielder joined the Bombers earlier this year and was playing his third match for his new Club when he sustained the injury against the Swans.

Scans revealed a hamstring strain and damage to the tendon, meaning a lengthy stay on the sidelines.

The move allows the Bombers to promote one of its rookie-listed players.

Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Conor McKenna have already been upgraded, leaving Jake Long, Will Hams, Gach Nyuon and Tom Wallis as the possible options, but no decision has been made at this stage.

“We expect Jonathan to be on the sidelines for eight to ten weeks, so in consultation with Jonathan and the medical team we decided the best option was to place Jonathan on the long-term injury list,” General Manager of Football Operations Rob Kerr said.

“This allows us to potentially elevate a rookie listed player if form warrants it.”

The Club also has the option of promoting an additional rookie at the midway point of the season.