Essendon has received a major blow ahead of Friday night's blockbuster against Carlton at the MCG with Mark McVeigh today accepting a one-match penalty for striking Melbourne's Jared Rivers.
McVeigh was reported during the third quarter of the Clash for Cancer played last Friday night.
The 28-year-old was handed a two-match penalty which was reduced to one-game with an early guilty plea.
Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said it was disappointing to lose the 180-game veteran for such an important match but accepting a guilty plea was the best option.
""Mark understands he made a mistake and feels that he has let himself and his teammates down,"" Hamilton said.
""He is a fierce competitor and I know he is extremely disappointed to miss Friday's blockbuster against one of our biggest rivals. He has been in good form in the past few rounds and has been improving each week so there is no doubt we will miss him.
""The upside of today's announcement is that Mark will be available for the Collingwood game the following Friday night which is also shaping as a massive clash for the club.""
Hamilton said a number of players were in contention to return to the side including injured trio Henry Slattery (hamstring), Tom Bellchambers (knee) and Michael Hurley (wrist) while Nathan Lovett-Murray returns from suspension and Bachar Houli has recovered from a virus.
