It wasn’t the news Bomber fans wanted to hear this afternoon when Kevin Sheedy ruled Dustin Fletcher out of Friday's must-win match. Although Fletcher trained at the team's skills session the ankle injury that prevented him from playing against Richmond is still not fully recovered and will keep him out of the match against Hawthorn. Sheedy said the All Australian full back is still probably one week away from returning. In another blow for the Bombers James Hird is still not certainty to play. ""I won't play him if he is not right. We will give James every opportunity and he will probably have a fitness test on Friday. It is a day by day prospect at the moment,"" Sheedy said.
There was finally a piece of good news for Bomber fans to come from training. New recruit Damian Cupido is almost certain to line-up in the side. The 21-year-old missed the Richmond match after failing to get up after he received a knock to the shoulder against Fremantle. ""Cupido is probably a better chance to play than Hird. He needs to train well tonight though to get his spot in the side,"" Sheedy said.
Jason Winderlich made his debut last weekend against Richmond and has nearly been guaranteed a spot in the team. ""We have brought a new kids in over the last few weeks. We are filtering them in one by one and trying to get them in for a few games. I am pretty sure Winderlich will stay in the side. If we give him two games at least he knows what it is about at the AFL level. It is a big step up from the under-18s competition."" Adam Ramanauskas was again out on the track this afternoon. He ran laps with Aaron Henneman for the majority of training, however Sheedy said his return is still one month away.