Essendon will wait until later in the week before making a call on the fitness of Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley. 

The star trio are hoping to prove their fitness ahead of the Bombers Elimination Final against Sydney on Saturday.

Fantasia injured his hamstring against Carlton in round 20.

The forward, who has booted 38 goals this season, is set to train with the main group on Wednesday.

“He’s coming up to five weeks post injury,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow said.

“We know what sort of running he did last time we played Sydney and he did the equivalent last weekend.

“We’re going to look for him to get right up to his top speed and train really well tomorrow and then we’ll be really optimistic that he’ll be in the mix to play.”

Hurley was named in the All Australian side last week but missed the Bombers last two games of the home and away season with a calf complaint.

“He’s been building up his training – he trained well early in the week,” Crow said.

“Tomorrow we’ve got main skills where he’ll do the full session.

“All we’re looking for is for Michael to get through that session well and then we think he’ll be right in the mix to play.”

Hooker withdrew from the match against Fremantle after experiencing some discomfort in his leg.

“Obviously with Cale we’re going to progress him as we can and we’ll be prepared to give him right up until the game to prove his fitness to us,” Crow said.

Aaron Francis won’t be considered for selection after the second year player suffered a hamstring injury in the Bombers VFL final against Footscray.

“Quite unusually in a marking contest Aaron hurt his hamstring,” Crow said. 

“He wasn’t able to play out the game and will go in for scans later this evening but we suspect he’s got a low grade hamstring strain.”