Star Essendon defender Damien Hardwick will face a fitness test later this week before selectors make a decision whether to name him in the side to play Sydney this Sunday.

Hardwick suffered a corked calf during yesterday's clash with the Kangaroos and was still feeling the affects at training this morning.

Mark Mercuri suffered a corked quadricep during the match but he has pulled up well and is expected to make the trip to Sydney.

Mercuri spent most of the second half on the bench as a precautionary measure.

In the reserves, Jonathon Robran suffered a recuurence of a hamstring injury and he faces a fitness test this week as will young ruckman David Hille.

Hille is suffering from a minor groin complaint and missed last weekend's match against Sandringham.

Dean Rioli is still two weeks away from resuming while Ilija Grgic (back) will not play again this season.