Strong-bodied Essendon midfielders David Myers and Ben Howlett are on track for an ANZAC Day return.

Myers is recovering from a finger tendon injury and is set to join in full training for the first time this week.

“David Myers is allowed in full contact training this week so that’s a big step forward,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow said.

“Obviously he’s been in as much training as possible until now.

“He’ll have this week of full training under his belt and then he’ll be available for that Collingwood weekend.”

The Bombers play Collingwood in the annual ANZAC Day clash on April 25, while the VFL side play the Magpies on Sunday April 23^rd.

Howlett is also likely to be available next week after injuring his hamstring against Brisbane in round two. 

Mason Redman missed last week’s VFL practice match and is also in doubt for the season opener against Sandringham on Saturday.

“Mason had tight groins at the end of the VFL match previous to the one against Richmond,” Crow said.

“There was very little to see on his scan.

“We had some hope that he’d get up last week. 

“The way he’s progressed it’s most likely he’ll miss another, so we’ll expect to see Mason not this week, but the week after.”

Jayden Laverde is continuing his recovery from a foot injury. He’ll be in a moon boot for another five weeks, but has begun cross training and weights.

Jordan Ridley has also commenced some light running. He’s progressing well and will undergo scans on his back injury this week to determine the next phase of his rehabilitation.