SCOTT Gumbleton is still a chance to play in round one, despite undergoing scans for a lingering back complaint which has kept him out of the club’s final two pre-season matches.

An article on the club’s website essendonfc.com.au said the key position prospect is experiencing ongoing ‘back irritation’ and quoted football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, who said medicos are taking cautious approach.

“Scott has some nerve irritation in his back which is causing some tightness in his hamstring muscles,” Hamilton is quoted as saying.

“It is a bit of a concern in that we withdrew him from a game a couple of weeks ago with some general soreness and expected him to be right the following week but he remained sore.

“It doesn’t appear to be a major injury but it is one of these lingering ones that we are seeking a second opinion on so that we get him right and start the season with him in good health.

“If he is able to complete full training this week then, obviously, that puts him in line for round-one selection, but we will have to wait and see.”

Since being taken as the No.2 selection overall in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft by the Bombers, Gumbleton has battled hamstring injuries and a broken collarbone, but Hamilton said the 20-year-old was still in a positive frame of mind.

“He is fine. He is positive and optimistic with things,” he said.

“There is no major tear or major injury as such but there is some irritation in his back and that is causing some problems in his legs and we want to make sure we get on top of that straight away."

The club has also stated on their website that it is hopeful Henry Slattery and David Myers will be available for selection in round one, despite both players suffering ankle injuries during the club’s NAB Challenge match against North Melbourne on Friday.

 “We would expect David to be fully recovered from the injury he received last Friday night. We couldn’t see any major problems there,” Hamilton said.

“We expect Henry to be fine too but it is not definite. It depends on how much his ankle settles down and then what training loads we can put on him.”

Meanwhile, Jobe Watson has fully recovered from a slight concussion sustained during the match against the Roos, and Kyle Reimers, who has been suffering from quad tendonitis, underwent an MRI scan on Monday and is expected to play in the next two or three weeks.