James Hird has today confirmed that several injured players will still require more time on the sideline.

Speaking ahead of Friday night’s game against North Melbourne, Hird revealed veterans Dustin Fletcher and Jason Winderlich were still a few weeks away from returning to the senior side.

Dustin Fletcher has been out with a niggling groin injury since his 400^th game against Richmond in round nine and Hird, although confident he will return again this season, is in no hurry to rush the 40 year old back into the team.

“Someone like Fletch we have to get right first and then we’ll make a decision,” Hird said.

“We’d love to see Fletch come back into the side at some stage, but he’s got to get his body right first and his groins are still causing him issues.

“He hopes he play again and so do we and so do all Essendon supporters.”

Despite being close to returning and having a few runs with Essendon VFL, Heath Hocking and David Myers will still be 1-2 weeks away with both midfielders recovering from minor injuries.

It is better news for Paul Chapman who has mostly recovered from his groin injury and is available for selection for this week’s VFL game as he tries to build his fitness base before returning to the senior side.