Essendon utility Justin Blumfield was tonight named in a squad of 25 to take on Melbourne at the MCG this Sunday afternoon.

Blumfield was considered doubtful after suffering a corked hip against Brisbane last Monday night.

Also included in the Bombers' squad for this weekend is Dean Wallis, Danny Jacobs and Mark Fraser.

Jacobs was sensational in the reserves win over the Murray Kangaroos last weekend when he collected in excess of 40 possessions and kicked three goals.

Wallis returns after being rested by the club last weekend and Fraser once again is pushing for selection after turning in another fine performance in the reserves last weekend.

Despite bing named in the squad, Blumfield is no certainty to play against the Demons this weekend.

"The injury isn't as bad as we first feared," Essendon Football Manager Matthew Drain said. "We were initially concerned there might have been some substantial ligament or nerve damage."

"But he has improved very quickly this week. He hasn't trained as yet and we rate him about a 50/50 chance of lining up."

Meanwhile, Dean Rioli continues to work through his rehabilitation program and is about three weeks away from returning to competitive training.

The bad news at Windy Hill this week came when draft selection Rob Forster-Knight was diagnosed with stress fractures of the right foot.

Forster-Knight is expected to be sidelined for the next six to eight weeks with the injury.

Rookie Cory McGrath has almost shaken off a groin injury and will be tested on the training track this Friday before a decision is made on whether he returns in the VFL side's match against Williamstown this Saturday.