Essendon star Brendon Goddard will return from injury against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Goddard has missed the last two matches with a minor groin strain suffered against Fremantle in Round 4.

“I trained this morning and have ticked all the boxes,” Goddard said.

“It was a tough session this morning doing 8 kilometers and doing 4 kilometers of skills between two guys is quiet taxing.”

“I did the weights and then a bike session afterwards so I am ready to go for next week.”

Goddard will be one of a number of experienced Bombers set to return for the match against the Bulldogs with Tom Bellchambers and Heath Hocking also in line for a senior recall.

The inclusion of the experienced trio will provide confidence to an Essendon team currently with just two wins from the first six rounds.

Goddard said the team was in good shape considering the tough fixture they were handed to start to the season.

“We realise that our last six weeks have been pretty tough and we have come up against some good opposition,” Goddard said.

“You can lose and go forward as a football club and improve so baring the game against St Kilda which was a real disappointment I thought overall we have been pretty good.

“We have come off a hard block of six and we will now come up against some younger inexperienced teams.”

“In the past we have had problems with us losing those games but if we are fair dinkum about being in the top four and playing finals footy we need to beat those teams.”