Essendon star Brendon Goddard will face a fitness test later this week to determine whether he returns from a groin injury against Collingwood on Anzac Day.

Goddard injured his groin against Fremantle in Round 4 and is facing a race against time to be fit for the MCG blockbuster on Friday.

“Brendon has a minor strain of his adductor but we will only play him if he is squeaky clean,” club doctor Bruce Reid said.

“He will push hard, that is for sure.”

Heath Hocking (groin) and Kyle Hardingham (corked thigh) are expected to be fit to tackle the Magpies despite leaving the field early in Saturday night’s loss to St Kilda.

“Heath Hocking’s injury is really minor, there is no tear and the scan is quite clear,” Reid said.

“His hand got stomped on and also, because he was tight in the groin we didn’t want to aggravate an injury further.

“Kyle had a straight cork laterally on the side of his thigh and they are pretty painful but he will play.”

Dashing defender Courtenay Dempsey is set to return to VFL football on Saturday afternoon after strong progress in his rehabilitation from a hamstring strain.

“Because Courtenay has missed some time with calves and a few other injuries the coaches will make the final decision,” Reid said.

Young gun Patrick Ambrose is also set to return to action after overcoming a minor quad complaint.

“Hopefully he will play this week, basically he has been running flat out now for five or six days so he will put his hand up and we will tick it off this week.”