Winterbottom is undertaking his rehabilitation program at the club¹s facilities with the assistance of Essendon Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Turk.
“Everyone has been so great, they have opened the doors and a lot of different people here have come and offered their advice”, Winterbottom told essendonfc.com.au.
“I live locally so it is great from that point of view and everyone here has been really helpful.
“Injuries are quite prone in football especially an ankle so I have received good guidance from the team here and it is going to hopefully help with the recovery.”
The FPR driver sustained the injury in a water skiing accident over the summer while holidaying at Lake Eppalock and said training alongside Turk has played a key role in his preparation for the upcoming season.
“With the help of Paul last year I managed to stop the cramping, which is a common struggle in our sport,” Winterbottom said.
“The cramping has been improved through taking part in a number of different lower back and glut exercises.
“I am a little concerned about this injury causing more cramping and if it was my right foot I would be really worried as it is your money foot but the left one is just the clutch foot.”
