Essendon midfielders Mark and Jason Johnson will return to the Bombers’ senior side this weekend against the Swans. Both players have recovered from hamstring injuries – Jason hurting his in the lead up to the Round 2 match against St Kilda game and Mark during the match itself.

The Johnsons both took part in full training at the MCG this afternoon and moved very well. Their inclusion will only strengthen an Essendon side that has won its past three matches.

In further good news for the club, Dean Rioli has recovered from the nasty knock he suffered to his chest early in the Anzac clash last Sunday. Sheedy confirmed he had no lingering effects from the knock and would play on Saturday afternoon.

Sheedy rated Damian Cupido as an unlikely starter in the game against the Swans. ""I doubt if he is playing this week, unless something happened and a player got injured during the week. He needs another week or two in the seconds I think,"" he said.

Mark McVeigh looks set to join Cupido in his return to football this week. McVeigh also suffered the hamstring curse that has hit Essendon hard early this season. He is likely to resume with the Bendigo Bombers in Tasmania this weekend.