Second-year utility Nik Cox has avoided surgery on a Lisfranc injury sustained in a VFL practice game two weeks ago.

There were initial fears Cox would require an operation, but a foot and ankle surgeon has ruled a non-surgical procedure to be the best course of treatment.

Head physiotherapist Nick Kane said Cox would be slowly and cautiously rehabilitated, but no surgery meant the 20-year-old may be a chance to return to playing towards the latter part of the season.

“‘Coxy’ we had a good result with. He had a consult with the surgeon, and it was deemed to be a low-end injury to the ligament through the mid-foot and the best course of action was a non-surgical approach,” Kane told Essendon FC’s Liberty Financial Performance Update.

“He’ll be in a boot for the foreseeable future, and we’ll build him up from there. We’re not ruling Coxy out for the remainder of the year.”

Midfielder Jye Caldwell and defender James Stewart are all aiming towards being available for the Bombers’ clash with Port Adelaide.

Caldwell (AC joint) and Stewart (calf) will integrate into main training this week and put their hand up for selection if they successfully prove their fitness.

Utility Matt Guelfi has sustained a low-end hamstring strain and will miss this weekend’s fixture, but will look to be available for the first game after the bye. 

Jake Stringer (hamstring), Kyle Langford (hamstring) and Will Snelling (calf) will also target post-bye returns as they recover from their respective injuries.

“Jake’s progressing well. He’s in more of a reconditioning block and building some high volumes of high-speed running and training, so he’s been putting the work in and he’s well on track to be back after the bye,” Kane said.

“‘Snell’ is back running well. He’s building his training volumes. We expect to see him (pushing) for games soon after the bye.

“Langford is in the end stages of his rehab where he’s very close to joining back in with the main group with training where we want to see him train with the group for a couple of weeks before returning to play, so also soon after the bye.”

Forward Patrick Voss has been moved from the medium to short term recovery status after integrating back into running successfully.

Voss will continue a running program as he builds on-feet fitness following a foot issue.

“Voss’ rehab from that foot injury is going well,” Kane said.

“He’s back running, and we’ll see him integrate into training through the bye week and be made available soon after the bye.

INJURY LIST - RD 11