Experienced Bomber Cale Hooker is on track to be available for selection to take on Brisbane this week after overcoming a calf injury.

Physical performance manager Justin Crow said Hooker has so far done all that’s been asked of him ahead of the side’s clash with the Lions at the MCG on Saturday.

“Cale trained well last week and also he’s performed well on the track this week,” Crow said on the SKINS Injury Update on Tuesday.

“We have main training tomorrow and he’ll be out there putting his hand up for selection.”

Fellow tall Joe Daniher has also recovered well from his own calf strain and could be in the mix to return against North Melbourne on Good Friday.

“Joe’s doing well, he’s going to train with the group tomorrow.

“He’ll do all of that session plus extra to make sure that he’s ready for when he returns, not this weekend, but the weekend after.”

Key forward James Stewart will not be available to return to the senior side after suffering an unfortunate groin injury in the VFL side’s dominant victory over Frankston on Sunday.

Stewart booted four goals in the opening half against the Dolphins but wasn’t able to return to the ground after the main break.

“In the second quarter James landed awkwardly. He’s got a small groin strain as a result and he’ll be rehabbed appropriately – we’re looking at at least two weeks to get him back from that.”

James Stewart is set for at least a fortnight on the sidelines.

Young forward Josh Begley made his long-awaited return to football in the match, impressing with two goals and showing no signs of the ACL injury that derailed his 2018 season.

“Josh played well, he played 50 minutes of game time and kicked a couple of goals in that time.

“He’s got a week now with the VFL bye (this weekend) where he’ll get another bit of work in training with the group and he’ll keep progressing those minutes upwards over the coming weeks.”

First goal in first game back.@JoshBegley16 is up and running for @essendonvfl



: Ben Johnstone pic.twitter.com/qtj6rEQiVd — Essendon FC (@essendonfc) April 7, 2019

Adding to the good news, Crow said sweeping defender Marty Gleeson is now back at full fitness after spending over a year on the sidelines due to a devastating ankle injury.

Matt Dea (knee) is expected to train fully on Wednesday and be available for selection, while Jake Long (shoulder) will need to tick some more boxes before his return.

“Jake Long is recovering from his AC joint injury. He’s been doing a lot of running and a lot of training without contact.

“We’re just waiting for the point where he can take the bumps and tolerate the contact.

“He’s not quite there yet, but we’re optimistic that he’ll get to that point by the time the VFL team plays after the bye.”

Jayden Laverde and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher – who both suffered ankle injuries in the VFL team’s final practice match the weekend before last – will continue to build up their loads in the hope of a return for the VFL Bombers’ next match on April 20.

The Dons failed to get through their stirring defeat of Melbourne unscathed, with key forward Shaun McKernan and young on-baller Kobe Mutch suffering significant hamstring injuries.

McKernan battled bravely to the end of the game after suffering his injury in the second term, but the tall is set for a decent stint on the sidelines.

“Unfortunately on the scan there was intramuscular tendon involvement, which we need to respect to give time to heal.

“Before we were using MRI (scans) this was the sort of injury that would (see the player) return in three weeks and they probably would have re-torn, so we’ll take the time to make sure that heals.

“He’ll be back running quite early, hopefully by the end of the week, and then he’ll be progressing up over that six-to-eight-week period.”

Shaun McKernan kicks one of four goals against Melbourne at the MCG.

Crow said Mutch’s injury is more severe and will take plenty of patience to rehabilitate properly.

“Kobe Mutch had a different injury to Shaun, he suffered a high hamstring strain (when) in a bent-over position.

“Fortunately, the tendon is intact so there is no surgery required. However, because of the nature and location of the injury, we’re looking at a 10-to-12-week recovery period – it certainly won’t be less than eight (weeks).

“Kobe’s quite sore walking around, he’ll get moving as he’s able and we’ll rehabilitate that up over the coming months.”

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