Essendon vice-captain Mark Baguley has withdrawn from the Bombers team that will take on Carlton at the MCG on Sunday.

Baguley has been replaced by Martin Gleeson in the Dons' 22, while Patrick Ambrose has been added to the three emergencies.

An AFL spokesman announced the late changes to Essendon's team on Twitter on Saturday, but the club has yet to say why Baguley has been forced to withdraw.

Both the Bombers and Blues take a 1-4 record into Sunday's clash, Essendon having upset Melbourne in round two while Carlton opened its account against Fremantle last Sunday.