Essendon spearhead Joe Daniher's small steps back from his debilitating groin injury were on show at training on Thursday.

The Bombers this week admitted they are unsure when Daniher will be fit for senior selection, saying he may not be available at AFL level until mid-year.

The 25-year-old, who failed in his bid to be traded to Sydney last off-season, has returned to running this week and spent Thursday's session completing light work.

The 2017 Virgin AFL All-Australian forward and Essendon best and fairest winner ran in short intervals before jogging some laps around the Bombers' secondary training oval.

Daniher also participated in some short kicking with captain Dyson Heppell (foot) and Cale Hooker (hip), who are also in the rehabilitation group as they come back from respective surgeries. 

James Stewart (groin), Sam Draper (knee), Lachie Johnson (knee) and Mitch Hibberd (knee) were the other Bombers restricted in their training. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti missed most of the session after being spotted earlier doing individual running.

It is a far fitter list than a month ago when the Bombers' returned from their Christmas break, and a vast improvement on the health of the group in December when nearly a quarter of the list was recovering from surgeries. 

No.1 pick Andrew McGrath impressed throughout the session in the midfield, while Orazio Fantasia, positioned occasionally as a wingman, was also lively.

Half-forward Nigel Lockyer and tall defender Nathan Ireland, who AFL.com.au revealed are vying for the Bombers' final list spot potentially as a pre-season supplemental selection, continued their trial on Thursday. 

Lockyer took the eye at one stage with a strong high mark, which is one of the 22-year-old's key attributes.