Essendon is set to receive a massive boost this week with Jake Stringer and Conor McKenna available for selection for the side’s must-win clash with Sydney.
Stringer suffered a minor calf strain against Collingwood in round 16, initially running out the game before being sidelined for the Bombers’ last two matches.
Essendon Physical Performance Manager said Stringer has ticked all of the necessary boxes at training this week.
“Jake trained well today, he ran flat out. His calf has been pretty much symptom free for a couple of weeks,” Crow said on the SKINS Injury Update this week.
McKenna was withdrawn with a minor groin issue last week, but Crow said the speedy defender has also been cleared for a potential recall.
“Conor just had a little bit of trouble getting up to top speed in the middle of last week, we decided not to play him and give him some treatment over the weekend,” he said.
“He’s freshened up really well, trained well today (and) also ran flat out.”
Crow shed light on the disappointing setback for key forward Shaun McKernan, who is set for a long stint on the sidelines.
“Shaun – in that last stride before he went to mark – over-strided a little bit and had the hamstring strain.
“Unfortunately it involves intramuscular tendon, which means that surgery is not indicated, however we need to respect those injuries.
“With the advent of MRI we’ve got a much better idea of the prognosis of these and their likelihood of recurring.
“We’re confident that if we do our time, which is a 10-week rehab, Shaun will be well placed to have a good pre-season.”
Young utility Mason Redman’s season is also over as he prepares to be sent for surgery on his knee.
The longstanding issue is unrelated to the nasty ankle injury he suffered in round 14 against West Coast.
“Mason Redman is an interesting one because he had that issue on one side,” Crow said.
“What we’ve known for a while is that he has a meniscal problem on his right side where his knee has locked a few times over the last six months. That was a surgery we were considering him having at the end of the season.
“What we’ve decided to do is now that he is off crutches on his other side, that we’ll get that right-side knee operated on to anchor the meniscus, which is a 10-week rehab from when he has that.”
Defender Marty Gleeson is gradually making progress in his recovery from a season-long ankle injury suffered in the JLT Community Series and will once again step up his training in the coming fortnight.
“Marty Gleeson is on the AlterG (treadmill) this week. He’s been slow, but steady, we’re really happy with how his ankle is at the moment.
“He’ll progress off the AlterG over ground over the next couple of weeks.”
Andrew McGrath left the track early on Tuesday, but Crow confirmed there was no concern for the young gun who will also be available for Friday night’s blockbuster.
