Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro is confident midfielder Ben Howlett will re-sign with the club in the next few days.

Howlett is currently out of contract with a few clubs enquiring about his services as the trade period kicked off at Etihad Stadium on Monday.

Dodoro said Howlett was a required player heading into 2015.

“We think that Ben will re-sign with us in the next 24 hours,” Dodoro said.

“A few clubs asked about him but we are confident he remains a required player with our club.”

Jason Winderlich announced his retirement at the end of last season but is still considering whether he plays on in 2015.

“Licka has triggered his contract for next year but he has announced his retirement,” he said.

“We need to sit with him and work out what he wants to do next season.”

Dustin Fletcher will also sit down with the club in the coming days to work out if he plays on into a 23^rd season in the red and black.