Essendon forward Jake Carlisle is expected to return to full training within the next two to three weeks after overcoming his injury concerns.

Carlisle has been cleared of patella tendonitis after returning to pre-season training with the complaint in November.

Club doctor Bruce Reid said the 23-year-old was progressing well on a modified training program.

“Jake has been very angry because he thinks he should be in the main group now but we have taken a conservative approach,” Reid said.

“He has been pretty pain free recently after having some patella tendonitis and it is important to nip that in the bud early.

“He thinks he should be doing everything, we think he should be doing about 70 per cent but he should be in full training in the next two to three weeks.”

Tayte Pears (achillies), Heath Hocking (groin) and Kurt Aylett (hamstring) all continue to make strong progress in their recovery.

Reid said Aylett was the biggest injury concern out of the longer-term injuries.

“Kurt has had a hard time because he has a split in his hamstring tendon,” Reid said.

“As the general public know tendon’s heal much slower than muscles so they are a bit more unpredictable.

“He has had a bit of a hard time and he will be a few more weeks away yet.”

Jackson Merrett has overcome a minor hamstring complaint and is expected to return to full training by the start of next week.