ESSENDON coach Matthew Knights believes the Western Bulldogs have “significantly improved” since the Bombers beat them in the second week of the NAB Cup.

Knights said the Dogs had “gone up a few cogs” since that game, and their improvement was on show against St Kilda last Friday night at Telstra Dome.

“The last three quarters they played aggressive football on the inside and they played attacking fast football on the outside,” Knights said of the Dogs’ 38-point round three victory.

“When you’ve got those two mixes they are pretty lethal because they have beautiful foot skills and they are a very dangerous team.

“They are not three wins and no losses because they are just going. They are a very good side.”

Knights, speaking at training at Windy Hill on Tuesday, said Nathan Lovett-Murray was a good chance to return to the team this week if he got through the session.

The utility has been sidelined with a groin injury.

He said Andrew Welsh, suffering a hamstring strain, is likely to play for Bendigo in the VFL.

Essendon has no plans to elevate a rookie as yet to replace Scott Lucas, who has been placed on the AFL long-term injury list.