Essendon is confident it will field a strong enough side to be competitive in its first two NAB Challenge matches for 2015.

The Bombers take on St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney throughout the first two weeks of the pre-season competition.

Five former AFL listed players verbally agreed to play with the club in the upcoming NAB Challenge on Tuesday afternoon with a further 8-10 players set to be targeted.

General Manager Football Operations Rob Kerr said the recruiting strategy was targeted around finding players that were hungry for another opportunity at AFL level.

“When we are bringing players into the club that are going to represent Essendon in that NAB Challenge series means you want players that are hungry for the opportunity and feel like they have more to offer AFL football,” Kerr said.

“There is also the VFL or state league players that are seeking the opportunity.

“One of our strong criteria was to make sure that the players that come in are pretty hungry and keen to do well.

“We would be expecting that they would put on the best show that they possibly can.”

Kerr said he had been in contact with both St Kilda and Greater Western Sydney surrounding the team they expected to face in under a month.

“In fairness to the other clubs we have communicated with them and given them an insight into what our squad is going to look like,” he said. 

“Obviously there will be some challenges around game plan but all we can do is turn up and give our best on the day.”

Kerr said the short-term contracted players would not create any significant salary cap issues for the club. 

“The AFL has given us a concession and the salary cap implications would only start if we were required to play short term contracted players in the premiership season,” he said.

“We are hopeful that is not the case and are hopeful we will get a decision from the AFL tribunal before the regular season starts.”