Young Bomber Jay Neagle is just one week away from resuming full training following an operation to repair stress fractures in his ankle. Neagle was operated on in late October and has been in rehabilitation for the past 10 weeks.

Neagle, who made his debut against West Coast in Round 22 last season and kicked a goal with his first kick in AFL football, is one player Essendon coach Matthew Knights hopes will begin to emerge as a regular senior player in 2008.

“It will be great to have him back training among the main group next week. Naturally he is a fair way behind from a fitness and skill perspective but we will work on addressing that over the next couple of months,” Knights said.

“We want to groom him to be a key position at either end of the ground. He is predominantly a forward at this stage, so that is where the focus will be at the moment. But he has played down back and has excellent closing speed so that is something we will keep in the back of our minds.”

Medical staff said Neagle’s ankle condition was quite rare and that they don’t expect any long–term problems now surgery has been performed.

In other injury news John Williams (shoulder reconstruction) and Darcy Daniher (shoulder reconstruction) are continuing to work through their rehabilitation programs and both are expected to be available for selection come Round 1. Cale Hooker will resume full training next week after having an operation on his tonsils.