Essendon coaching staff have sent a simple message to their players.. "if you want to play this Saturday you will train tonight".

So Essendon supporters can expect to see everyone - bar those players with season-ending injuries - on the training track tonight.

Those players hitting the track include Mark Mercuri and All Australian pair James Hird and Damien Hardwick who all missed last weekend's match with Collingwood.

Dean Wallis, who has missed fice weeks with a knee injury will also train tonight and push his claims for selection.

With John Barnes returning from suspension, up to five changes could be made from the side which defeated Collingwood last Saturday.

This afternoon's training session commences at 3.30pm at Windy Hill.