Essendon captain Jobe Watson has been named to return from a broken collarbone against Collingwood on Sunday afternoon.

Watson has been included in the squad along with Dustin Fletcher, Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Hardingham and Nick O’Brien.

Michael Hurley (ankle) and Joe Daniher (omitted) are the only players out of the squad that will be trimmed to a final team of 22 on Friday afternoon.

Watson has missed the last three weeks after fracturing his collarbone against Port Adelaide in Round 15.

Hurley’s injury is a blow to the Bombers but provides an opportunity for Gumbleton who is set to play his first match since the club’s Round 10 loss to Sydney.

Gumbleton put in a strong display against Bendigo in the VFL last round bagging five goals and taking ten contested marks.

Hardingham has played just three games at AFL level this season despite strong form in the VFL he has not had an opportunity in the senior team since Round 7 against Geelong.

The Bombers are coming off a loss to Hawthorn and a 9-day break in the lead in to Sunday afternoon’s match, which is expected to draw a big crowd under the lights at the MCG.

Click here to see the full team.