Essendon will welcome back experienced duo David Zaharakis and Matthew Leuenberger for the match against Richmond on Saturday.

The pair comes in for Sam Michael and the rested, Adam Cooney.

The Bombers are coming off a six-day break but Coach John Worsfold said the group is ready to go.

“They’ve pulled up well – the six day break is a challenge for us, there’s no doubt,” he said.

“But they’ve pulled up well, a couple of experienced ‘ins’ for us in Leuenberger and Zaharakis who are fresh.

“It’s not as though they’re coming off long layoffs, they’re ready to go so hopefully they’ll really add value to us.”

Zaharakis has served his one game suspension stemming from an incident in the match against West Coast.

He is averaging 26 disposals per game and bolsters a midfield that competed strongly against St Kilda last week.

“He’s had a very consistent year,” Worsfold said.

“He’s had a couple of quiet games where he’s had a heavy tag, but they’ve been great learning opportunities for him to work through.

“Overall his on field performances have been outstanding and his leadership around the place has been great.” 

Leuenberger is back in the side after missing one week with a knee problem.

The game against Richmond will be the former Lion’s 14th of the season, a return he’s bettered in just three of his nine previous AFL seasons. 

“We’ve been rapt with his durability to be able to get through,” Worsfold said.

“He hasn’t strung a lot of games together in the past so this has been a big step forward but its only really been a platform for where he can get to with his footy.

“Our focus will be that he finishes off the year pretty strong and plays out the majority of the remaining games.

“We might have to manage him for one more game, we’ll just wait and see, but it’s a platform for a great pre-season and even better football next year.”