Essendon defender Cale Hooker looks set to miss at least the next fortnight of football after suffering a calf strain in the Bombers’ clash with Western Bulldogs on Friday night. 

Head of medical services David Rundle said the 31-year-old underwent scans on the Gold Coast which confirmed the strain.

“The main injury concern is to Cale Hooker who sustained a calf strain out of the game from Friday,” Rundle said.

“He actually sustained a cork to the other calf early in the match which he felt impeded his running mechanics and that overloaded the other calf that he injured. He won’t be available to play this week and should resume running in the next 10-12 days.”

Rundle said the club was pleased with defender Conor McKenna’s recovery following his hand surgery last week. 

“He got through (the game) remarkably well, considering he played three days post-surgery,” he said.

“The main concern for us was that he got through without any infection to his wound, and his wound looks fantastic. He now has some really good early range of motion through that joint so we’re happy with where he is at and he should train fully this week.”

Jake Stringer (syndesmosis) headlines a group of five Bombers players that have arrived on the Gold Coast, with Patrick Ambrose (foot), Harrison Jones (foot), Lachlan Johnson (knee) and Tom Hird (foot) all joining their teammates as they continue their own respective long-term rehabilitation programs. 

“We’ve had the remaining five players come up and they’ve all been in the rehab group in Melbourne," Rundle said.

"They’ve all been working really well together and working hard on their rehabilitation under the guidance of rehab coordinator Ashley Lynch back in Melbourne."

Rundle said exciting youngster Jones would make an imminent return to group training after overcoming a stress fracture in his foot. 

“Harrison is running really well and should join back in with the group once he’s released out of quarantine," he said.

INJURY LIST - RD 8