Essendon could be boosted by the return of some key players for this Friday’s Community Series matchup with Geelong.

Jordan Ridley and Peter Wright will be fit to play at GMHBA Stadium after being managed for last week’s practice match against St Kilda.

Ridley and Wright are ready for competitive action after a conservative approach was taken with the pair last week, however defender Jake Kelly and young midfielder Ben Hobbs will sit out this Friday with eyes towards a return in the early weeks of the home-and-away season.

Ruckman Sam Draper is working his way back into the fold after a lengthy period out of play with a groin injury and is a chance to make an appearance on restricted minutes in the VFL practice match curtain-raiser on Friday afternoon.

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Media conference | Sam Draper

Ruckman Sam Draper chats to the media about his recovery from surgery and the new faces to the ruck group.

Dylan Shiel is another Bomber making steady progress, looking to reintegrate into full training in the coming weeks.

The Bombers take on the Cats in their AAMI Community Series fixture this Friday at GMHBA Stadium, kicking off at 5:10pm AEDT.