Essendon coach Mark Thompson is comfortable his side can cover the loss of injured captain Jobe Watson throughout the second half of the season.

Watson is a chance to return from injury if the Bombers, currently ninth on the ladder, can make finals.

Thompson admits the loss of Watson is a blow but is confident in the team’s ability to cover the absence of their captain.

“It isn’t a great problem. One player doesn’t make that much difference I don’t think,” Thompson said.

“If you had your five best players out then you would be really concerned but having only one isn’t as big a problem because the rest of our boys are playing.

“Gary Ablett left Geelong and they won the premiership and he was the best player in the competition.

“One player does not make a team.”

Thompson said the opportunity now presented for others in the side to step up and grasp their chance.

“He is a good player who gets a lot of the ball and is our captain, leader and the face of the club,” he said.

“If there is one thing to come out of it then it is that it is time for people to step up and do it.”

The Bombers coach said he would speak to the playing group on Tuesday morning before meeting with the club’s leadership group.

Thompson highlighted Dyson Heppell as one player ready to take the next step from a leadership perspective.

“There are some terrific people in the leadership group,” he said.

“Dyson Heppell is one young man who sees the game as good as anyone.

“Since the day he started he has seen the game as good as anyone but he doesn’t talk that much because he thinks that it’s not his job.

 “Jobe does such a good job at it, now he is not there, other people will have to stand up now.”

Senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin said the development of the club's young players would assist in providing back up.

"We are really comfortable with the development of some of our younger guys especially in our midfield area," Goodwin said.

"It gives guys like Myers, Melksham, Zaharakis, Heppell who will have to shoulder more of the load and step up."

Leave your comments below on how you think the team will go without Jobe Watson for the next eight to ten weeks.