Essendon midfielder Brendon Goddard is nearing full fitness just a week from the start of the club’s NAB Challenge campaign.

The 2013 Crichton Medalist has had a minor hamstring niggle throughout the pre-season but is expected to take part in full training this week.

“Brendon has had a very minor hamstring injury which he has recovered from very well,” Club doctor Brendan De Morton said.

“He will be back into near full training either tomorrow or on Friday depending on how he feels over the next few days.”

De Morton said the entire playing list was in relatively good health ahead of the team’s first clash of the pre-season on Monday night against Gold Coast.

“The list is going really well and we have very little in the way of major injuries other than Tom Bellchambers who is obviously going to be out for a while.”

Jake Melksham is expected to return to the training track later in the week after leaving the track with a rolled ankle on Monday.

 “Jake has had a problem with his foot which is an old injury which he occasionally rolls and jams it up a particular part of his foot,” De Morton said.

“It caused him to look relatively bad when it happened yesterday but hopefully it will settle and we are quiet optimistic that in a day or two he will be right.”

In a further boost for the club Dyson Heppell returned to training on Monday with no signs of being hampered by back spasms that sidelined him last week.

“Dyson is going very well, he has had some treatment in the last week and has returned to training normally.”

“He will continue to train in full and will be available for the game next week against Gold Coast.”

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