Essendon will give Jayden Laverde every chance to prove his fitness for the season opener against Gold Coast.

But the Bombers will take a cautious approach at the selection table, given Laverde’s disrupted build-up to the start of the home and away season.

An ankle injury restricted the second year player to just two quarters throughout the NAB Challenge.

He’s back in full training but High Performance Manager Justin Crow said Laverde would continue to be monitored over the next few days.

“Jayden trained last Friday and again yesterday,” Crow said.

“We’ve got our main training leading into the game tomorrow.

“Jayden’s made a good recovery - we’re just aware of building up his fitness given how much he’s missed with little niggles over the last month.”

James Polkinghorne missed the NAB Challenge with a calf injury.

But the reigning Bombers VFL Best and Fairest is expected to re-join training later this week.

And there is also good news for Jason Ashby.

Essendon staff feared the 21 year old could be in for a long stint on the sidelines when he went down with a knee injury in a VFL practice match.

But he could resume running as early as this week.