Essendon forward Jason Winderlich is expected to miss the next three weeks after suffering a minor hamstring strain in last night’s loss to Port Adelaide.

Club doctor Bruce Reid said Winderlich would have scans later in the week to confirm the full extent of the injury.

“Jason suffered a minor strain to his hamstring during the match and with his injury history we are going to be careful as to how we manage his rehabilitation,” Reid said.

“We will send him for scans later in the week and continue to closely monitor his progress.”

Winderlich said despite his latest setback he would still play a key role in 2014.

“The positive news is it’s only a minor strain, I'm going to listen to my body and I'm hoping to be back for the start of the season."

“I’m confident the training I have done over this pre-season will enable me to make a quick recovery.”

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