Orazio Fantasia is in line to return for Essendon this week, while important midfielder David Zaharakis also remains a chance for the Bombers’ clash with Fremantle on Saturday.

Fantasia was a late withdrawal from the side for the second week running against Gold Coast last week, but Physical Performance Manager Justin Crow says he expects the dangerous forward to be ready to fire this time.

”Orazio, again, we left late in the week to prove his fitness – he was close, he could do most things,” Crow said in the SKINS Injury Update on Tuesday.

“We ended up getting a good training session into him on the Saturday, but right at death’s door we made the decision not to play him, because we felt there was still too much risk in terms of how much he’d recovered from his original injury.

“Orazio will do all of training tomorrow, we’re expecting him to go well in that session and then be available.”

Zaharakis has been out of the side since suffering a nasty collarbone injury against Richmond in round 11, but has made sharp progress as he eyes a return to the field.

“Dave’s now been surgically and medically cleared in terms of his actual pathology and injury,” Crow said.

“Now the real test is that he can get into training, we’re hoping he does a full session tomorrow.

“We’ll be watching him closely in terms of both his fitness and his ability to play the game from a physical point of view, and if he can prove himself in both of those aspects he’ll be made available.”

Adam Saad failed to run out the clash against his former side last week, but Crow said it was precautionary and expects the dashing defender to take his place against the Dockers.

“Adam Saad finished on the bench – that was just us being really careful after a hamstring cramp to make sure that he was ok this week,” he said.

“We’ll be monitoring him closely to make sure he’s recovered from that.”

Crow said he was “rapt” with the return of Jayden Laverde in the VFL on the weekend following a hamstring strain, and said star recruit Jake Stringer is also tracking well in his recovery.

“Jake’s making good progress, he’s been working hard in rehab. We’ll be watching him week by week.

“We’re not expecting him to be available this week, but we’ll be looking closely at him to see how quickly he turns the corner from that calf strain.”

He also provided an update on key forward Joe Daniher, who is yet to return since round seven due to early signs of onset of osteitis pubis.

“Joe’s had a couple of weeks where he’s making slow but steady progress in terms of his running,” Crow said.

“We’re just taking things one step at a time with Joe, but he’s certainly moving forward each week.”

The first bounce against Fremantle is set for 4:35pm on Saturday at Etihad Stadium as the Bombers look to keep their season alive.