Star Essendon forward Joe Daniher is progressing well in his recovery from osteitis pubis as he continues to patiently develop his strength.

Physical Performance Manager Justin Crow says the key goalkicker – who has been on the sidelines since round seven – has been working hard in the off-season as he pushes to return to full fitness.

“Joe is basically tracking as we’ve been progressing the whole time, which is small step by small step,” Crow said on the SKINS Injury Update on Monday.

“This time of year, he’s still been coming in – we see him in the facility a few times a week.”

Crow said the efforts Daniher and the club are putting in now will help set him up for long-term health rather than short-term gain.

“We’re putting a lot of time into his strength, building a really strong foundation in terms of his strength and movement control around his hips and pelvis,” he said.

“(This will) gradually build him up through this pre-season and get that foundation in place so he can go and have a successful year and a successful career.”

A number of Bombers are tracking well in their recovery from injuries sustained throughout the year, with Patrick Ambrose and Shaun McKernan – who both suffered similar hamstring strains – preparing for full pre-seasons.

“Both of those players are rescanning to check that they’ve got a full heal this week, we expect that to be fine,” Crow said.

“There’s plenty of time for them to build up their running and have a normal pre-season.”

Matthew Leuenberger has also fully recovered from a minor calf strain suffered in the side’s impressive victory over Port Adelaide in the final round of the AFL season.

Marty Gleeson (ankle) and Josh Begley (knee) have been off the scene long-term, though they have been “progressing really well”.

“Josh Begley is building his running volume. Marty Gleeson is in a similar boat in that he’s just gradually progressing his running, his movement and the absorption through that ankle.

“We’re really comfortable with how both of those players are progressing.”

Shoulder surgery has meant tall pair Tom Bellchambers and Luke Lavender will be a little restricted early in the pre-season, but Crow said both will still be right on track for the 2019 season.

“We’ve had Tom Bellchambers get his surgery before the end of the year, which is good because it will help him return to pre-season training earlier.

“He’ll be a bit limited with shoulder contact early on but in terms of his running ability and ability to get involved, (he will) be able to do more pre-Christmas this year than last year, which is a great thing for Tom.

“And Luke Lavender had his shoulder surgery as well, so he’s progressing as expected.

“He’ll be (having) no (physical) contact before Christmas – he’ll be able to get some running in and some training – and then building up from there.”

Young utility Mason Redman’s knee surgery has also been hailed a success, with the versatile Bomber returning to the track for the first time on Monday.

“Mason Redman had that knee surgery with his meniscus,” Crow said.

“He ran for the first time today. He’ll head back to South Australia for a period and gradually build up his running as well towards the pre-season.”

Last year saw a long list of important players limited throughout the pre-season, but Crow says he is excited to take a much stronger squad back into work in November.

“We’re expecting to have better numbers available pre-Christmas before we get to that break and then into the part of the year where we really prepare to play in around February/March.

“It’s looking really promising for the next pre-season.”