Essendon best and fairest winner Brendon Goddard has suffered a setback in his preparations for 2014, injuring his calf during the club's pre-season camp in Colorado.

The former Saint did not take part in the Bombers' open training session on Wednesday, instead completing a conditioning session before his teammates hit the track.

He is confident the complaint will not have a major impact on his pre-season.

"I'm just managing my load now, and I'll be back into full training post-Christmas," Goddard told essendonfc.com.au.

Goddard left the Colorado camp early to be with his girlfriend after the death of her grandfather.

Teammate Dyson Heppell, who had surgery to repair a crack in his foot after the Bombers' round 22 win over Carlton this year, has made a strong recovery.

After spending three weeks in a moon boot following the procedure, the 21-year-old is now back in full training.

"The foot is going really well," Heppell said.

"I was able to do everything over in Colorado, and there have been no issues at all since surgery."

Essendon's travelling group returned from the US on Tuesday, joining the rest of the list in the open training session at the club's new airport facility on Wednesday morning.

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