VETERAN Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher is one of a string of players likely to return to the success-starved Bombers side this week.

The 35-year-old has missed the last two weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury in the side's 76-point thrashing at the hands of Carlton in round 19.

Football manager Paul Hamilton says even though Fletcher is looking good to make his return, he is not locked in.

"At the moment the doctors and physios are saying Dustin is a chance. He would love to play but we are not even going to think about risking him if there is a risk element involved," he told Essendon’s official website.

Also on the verge of returning to a side that had 19 players unavailable for last weekend's loss to the Lions are Patrick Ryder, Sam Lonergan and Travis Colyer (all virus), with Jason Winderlich (hand) and Bachar Houli (knee) also possibilities.

“Certainly with Ryder, Lonergan and Colyer they’re not out of the woods yet and it really just depends on how they pull up, but generally with these sorts of things you’d expect them just to the miss the one week," Hamilton said.

"Bachar has missed the last two with a knee and is another that could be up for selection.

“Jason is a lot better than he was last week and has started to get full mobility back in his hand - while it is still a little sore, he again represents a fairly good chance of playing and we’d love to get him back in the side and get some run from him.”