Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett is expected to be fit to take on Sydney at the SCG next Friday night despite suffering tightness in his achillies.

Howlett was substituted out of Sunday’s win over the Western Bulldogs during the third quarter with just three disposals.

Club doctor Bruce Reid said Howlett was expected to make a full recovery in time for the club’s Round 19 clash against the Swans.

“Ben got a kick above the ankle last week so he had bled a bit and he was just tightening up in the achilles,” Reid said.

“We decided to sub him but it should be ok as he was tightening up in the achillies and with a 12 day break he should be alright.”

Defender Michael Hibberd missed the final ten minutes of Sunday’s win with tightness in his hamstring.

Reid said no injury was suffered but given Hibberd’s previous history with hamstring’s the club decided to take a cautious approach.

“Michael was tight in the hamstring but had no major signs of any damage so he went back on and still went flat out when he went back out there,” Reid said.

“Just because he has had a hamstring in that area we left him off the field for the last ten minutes as we didn’t want to risk him breaking down.”

The club announced on earlier this week young forward Joe Daniher would go in for surgery to repair a fracture to a broken clavicle.

Reid is hopeful Daniher will miss only two matches given the club has a week off with a bye this weekend.

“Joe will have a plate and screws inserted to strengthen his clavicle,” Reid said.

“It’s not invasive surgery and the positive news is it will shorten Joe’s recovery period. I would say Joe could be back within three weeks.”

In a further boost for the Bombers Marty Gleeson has resumed training and is expected to return from a groin injury next weekend in the VFL.