Essendon could name up to four new recruits in its squad to take on Carlton in the NAB Challenge this Sunday.

The Bombers have signed nine new players over the last five weeks, with former Docker Ryan Crowley and three-time premiership Cat James Kelly among those to feature prominently in the Dons intra-club match last week. 

“We’re probably looking at maybe three or four at most I would guess,” Essendon Coach John Worsfold told SEN.

“The others will either come in the second NAB Cup game or by the third one. 

“That’s an interesting part of this process - how to get the work, the best program to get these guys ready for the season without rushing them, because that can lead to injuries which will only set them back.

“Our strength and conditioning department are working brilliantly to map out their programs individually.” 

The Bombers have until March 15 to finalise their playing list, but Worsfold said they might reach a decision sooner.

“We’ve had Sam Michael training with us.  He’s come down from Brisbane and he’s been training with us over the last two weeks so we’ve had a good look at Sam,” he said.

“There are other players out there that we can give consideration to.

“We’ll probably make a decision on that tenth spot maybe by the end of this week, but definitely in the next week or two.” 

Sunday’s match will be the Bombers first of the NAB Challenge, while the Blues are coming off a 21 point loss to Hawthorn last week.

“We’re all pretty excited about it now,” Worsfold said.

“It hasn’t been a normal couple of months but we’ve tried to make every post a winner as best we can.

“We’ve been rapt with the attitude of the guys who have joined us and the young players have really appreciated having that seniority around them and a bit of calmness. 

“They’re all well prepared for Sunday.”