Essendon selectors will closely monitor the performance of Chris Heffernan at training this evening as he nears his return to football.

Heffernan has missed the past three matches after he strained a medial ligament in round 16 against Port Adelaide.

Heffernan has become an integral part of the Bomber mid-field this season and his imminent return will be a further boost the side.

"He is progressing how we would have expected and he was out on the ground yesterday doing goal-kicking practice," Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

"He will be given every possible chance to prove his fitness for this weekend but as has been our policy for the past two seasons - if there is any doubt over his fitness we will give him another week."

Dean Wallis will miss another one or two weeks with a strained medial ligament while Sean Denham will return after having a minor knee operation.