Please note: This article was published prior to Aaron Francis being a late withdrawal due to illness. View the updated team here.

Essendon will welcome back Jake Stringer in Saturday night's clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.

The star forward recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in round eight quicker than expected, earning his spot back in the line-up at the expense of young forward Harry Jones, who will be managed.

02:15

Rd 11 | Team selection

Senior coach Ben Rutten takes us through the team to play against West Coast at Optus Stadium.

MATCH PREVIEW: EAGLES v BOMBERS

The Bombers completed a main training session at Optus Stadium on Thursday, arriving in Perth two days earlier than originally scheduled due to Victoria's latest COVID-19 outbreak.

Training: May 27

22

They'll have a captain's run at Optus Stadium on Friday, before returning to the venue on Saturday night to face the Eagles from 7:40pm AEST.

ESSENDON'S ROUND 11 TEAM:

Backs: Jayden Laverde, Aaron Francis, Jordan Ridley
Half-backs: Dyson Heppell (C), James Stewart, Nick Hind
Centre: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Nik Cox
Half-forwards: Archie Perkins, Jake Stringer, Will Snelling
Forwards: Alec Waterman, Cale Hooker, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Followers: Andrew Phillips, Darcy Parish, David Zaharakis
Interchange: Mason Redman, Matt Guelfi, Kyle Langford, Peter Wright
Emergencies: Brayden Ham, Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Patrick Ambrose, Harrison Jones

In: Stringer

Out: Jones (managed)

Last week's sub: Ham (not used)