The injury-plagued Gumbleton, 20, has not played for the Bombers since round 22, 2007, although he did make an appearance in this year's NAB Cup.
He was then rested from the Bombers' semi-final clash with the Brisbane Lions with back and hamstring soreness, before he underwent surgery to repair a bulging disc in his spine in April.
Coach Matthew Knights said the 2006 No.2 pick in the NAB AFL Draft had made progress in his rehabilitation, but was hesitant to talk up his young gun's recovery.
"He's going well. I've said that before though," he said with a wry smile.
"He trained on Saturday morning and did some kicking and leading and some 150m and 200m reps, and he's actually moving really well."
Knights said Essendon hoped Gumbleton's recovery would mirror that of midfielder Jason Winderlich, who was operated on for a similar injury last year and has been a shining light this season.
"We've just got to hope Scott follows that path. Many times we've started with Scott but it hasn't worked out for us, or for him," Knights said.
"So we can only hope he comes through. We can't guarantee anything, unfortunately, because he has had a history of not being able to get on the ground over the last two or three years."
Knights said the club had not ruled out Gumbleton playing for Bendigo this year, but a senior game was unlikely.
"The door's not closed there, but from a senior perspective with no base and coming off an operation like that, it would be tough to put him out there in a senior game," he said.
"We certainly haven't shut the door on him playing, but for him to get back into the senior line up, it would be a pretty hard road, I would have thought."
Knights said Gumbleton still figured heavily in the Bombers' plans for the future.
"At 6ft 5, he's someone we're really looking forward to in that centre half-forward or full-forward area as a big target," he said.
"There's a couple of big forwards around the competition at the moment that are causing teams problems, so from a future perspective it will be lovely to get Scott up and moving."
