Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis is hopeful of returning to the club’s leadership group and it may be as soon as this pre-season.

The club is expected to announce its leadership group for 2015 over the next month ahead of the Round 1 clash against Sydney at ANZ Stadium on April 4.

After twelve months out of the leadership group Zaharakis worked closely with Head of Football Performance Neil Craig on developing his skill set.

“I would love to be in the leadership group and love to have an influence on the football club so if I get voted in well great,” Zaharakis said.

“If I don’t then I am still going to be the same person I am around the football club and be as much of an influence on the footy club as I can be.

“I have a massive interest outside of just playing football with the community programs and working with young kids.

“Whether it be in a leadership group at a footy club or at programs and activities I see myself as a leader and being able to help others.”

Zaharakis was a member of the leadership group during the 2012 and 2013 season before missing out on the peer voted group in 2014.

“I have been working closely with Neil Craig at the club on developing a wider role in leadership,” Zaharakis said.

“I have been working on skills and feedback that I got from the playing group and think I have done that well over the last twelve months.

“Even if I don’t get voted back in I still see myself as being a leader because as role models in the AFL kids look up to you.”

“Whether you get voted in as a leader of the football club or not you are still a role model in the community and kids look up to you.”