Essendon defender Courtenay Dempsey will miss the next three to four weeks of football after scans revealed a minor hamstring strain.

Dempsey suffered the blow late in the final quarter of Saturday’s VFL practice match against Richmond, just his second game back form a calf injury.

Club doctor Bruce Reid said he expected Dempsey to return to full training within the next three weeks.

“The scans have revealed a minor hamstring strain so he will now begin a rehabilitation program,” Reid said.

“We would expect that if Courtenay’s recovery goes to plan he would be back out on the field within the next month.”

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