There is no need to tell Blake Caracella and Sean Denham that a week is a long time in football after they were today recalled to the Essendon senior side.

Just one week ago the pair would have been mortified at being dropped from a side that had won its first three games.

Michael Long will miss because of a hip injury while Mark Fraser and Michael Prior have been ommitted.

Denham and Caracella spent periods of time on the bench during the side's win over Fremantle and were eased back into the reserves for match fitness reasons as much as anything.

Both players were superb in the VFL side's win over Werribee and earned instant recalls for this week's preliminary final replay against Carlton.

Also back in the Essendon side this weekend is Adam Ramanauskas who was a late withdrawal last weekend because of a virus.

Caracella and Denham have both been named on the bench along with Dean Wallis and Darren Bewick.

Long is hopeful of returning to the senior side for next week's round six clash with the Western Bulldogs at Colonial Stadium.

Whether that happens will depend on how he responds to treatment for the remainder of this week and early next week.

Michael Prior, Mark Fraser and Danny Jacobs have been named as emergencies for the Carlton match.