Essendon skipper James Hird remains in doubt for this Friday night's clash with Fremantle at Colonial Stadium after training for just 20 minutes this evening.

Hird has missed the past two matches after having two small screws inserted into a broken small finger.

Hird came warmed up with the main body of the squad before doing some close range ball work. He then left the track for some further treatment on his injured hand.

"We will assess James' injury on Friday before making a decision on whether he plays or not," Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

"As has been the case all season, we won't be taking any risks with some one who is not 100 per cent fit."

In other injury news, Dean Wallis is certain to miss this weekend's match against Fremantle with a bruised knee.

Wallis injured the knee during the reserves VFL match against Richmond at the MCG last weekend.