Essendon is hopeful key forward ScottGumbleton will remain with the club next season despite not having signed a newcontract.

Coach James Hird said Gumbleton was animportant part of the Bombers plans for the future.

“We would really like Scott to stay. Wehave put a contract in front of him and we are very hopeful that he will signthat contract,” Hird said.

“Scott is a required player and we wouldvery much like him to stay.

“We have put a contract in front of him andhe is making that decision up at the moment.”

Gumbleton has been plagued by injuriesduring his time at Essendon, playing 28 games in six season, after beingselected at pick 2 in the 2006 draft.

Hird said it was important the Bombers didnot rush Gumbleton, 24, into a decision on his future.

“The landscape for both the player andclubs has changed and to put a timeframe on a player who is making a bigdecision in his life is not quiet right,” Hird told Trade Radio.

“We would obviously like him to sign soonerrather than later but we do understand this trade period is going to go for amonth and it is going to take clubs and players a while to make up their mind.”

Gumbleton booted 11 goals from six gamesduring the 2012 season.