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Knighter: Fletcher and Welsh will play on Friday
<DIV>Two star Bombers look set to return to the senior side this Friday night against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. Speaking to media today, Matthew Knights said that veteran Dustin Fletcher has recovered from a cracked fibula and Andrew Welsh is fit and ready to go after playing two VFL games.</DIV>
Two star Bombers look set to return to the senior side this Friday night against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to media today, Matthew Knights said that veteran Dustin Fletcher has recovered from a cracked fibula and Andrew Welsh is fit and ready to go after playing two VFL games.
Welsh broke a bone in his leg and dislocated his ankle during a pre-season practice match and Knights said he will be a big 'in' if he gets through the week of training.
""It’s been a marvellous comeback. He had that horrific injury that we can all remember the nature of and to fight back the way he has and do his rehab has been sensational,"" Knights said.
""He is a magnificent leader at our club and has been a fine leader with the way he has done his rehab and to have him back in the team is a big boost to us.
""Understand, he has had a long period away from the game and he is going to have to be patient with his form but I think the sooner he plays in the AFL the better he will be.""
Knights said having these two senior players back, along with the recent return of Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall should help the team.
""Having McVeigh, Prismall and Welsh back doesn’t guarantee we will be better but it means we will give guys like Jobe Watson, Sam Lonergan and Heath Hocking more support in the midfield because they have had to shoulder most of the heavy work,"" he said.
""Hopefully we get better as the years goes on. You would think five or six senior bodies coming back fresh should help with our form lines but, unless they come back and make a solid impact, you can't guarantee your form line will improve.""
Fletcher hurt himself in his 300th game against Brisbane in Round 6 and has not played a game since.
There could be up to four changes to the side with Knights saying Jason Winderlich (ankle) and Henry Slattery (hamstring) were also a chance to return.
""We would like to get those two guys back in the team sooner rather than later too,"" Knights said.
""Winderlich is right to go but we just have to make sure he trains well, there are no major concerns.""
Friday's game is the annual Clash For Cancer which marks the start of the July Call to Arms campaign and all jumpers from the match (and some special yellow adidas boots) will be auctioned on this website to raise funds to help fight cancer.
Essendon is calling on all supporters to turn their Mobile Phone Bluetooth applications on when they arrive at Etihad Stadium on Friday night. Supporters will be able to receive a FREE message from Essendon which will have the 30 second ‘Call To Arms’ TVC featuring Essendon Captain Matthew Lloyd and Socceroos Champion Tim Cahill. At the end of the TVC, there will be a link encouraging all supporters to donate to the Cancer Council or find out more about how your sporting team can be part of the ‘Call To Arms’ national program.
