Essendon has made three changes for Saturday night's clash with Sydney at the Gabba.

The Bombers will welcome back Kyle Langford from injury, with Aaron Francis making a return from mental health leave and Dylan Clarke set to play his first AFL game of the season after a lengthy injury layoff.

Veterans David Zaharakis and Cale Hooker and youngster Brayden Ham have been omitted.

MATCH PREVIEW: BOMBERS v SWANS

Langford, who has missed two games with a hamstring injury, will further bolster a midfield which regained Dylan Shiel last week, while Clarke has showcased his ball-winning abilities in three VFL games since returning from a long-term ankle injury.

Francis will offer added versatility to senior coach Ben Rutten's line-up, having played as a forward in Sunday's four-point VFL loss to Southport on the Gold Coast.

The 23-year-old also played in a scratch match the week prior in his first hitout since returning to his home state of South Australia to deal with his mental health in mid-June.

The Bombers will name one of emergencies Matt Guelfi, Alec Waterman, Nick Bryan and Brayden Ham as their medical sub an hour before the 7:40pm AEST bounce on Saturday night.

ESSENDON'S ROUND 20 LINE-UP:

Backs: Jayden Laverde, Aaron Francis, Mason Redman
Half-backs: Dyson Heppell (C), Jordan Ridley, Nick Hind
Centreline: Sam Durham, Zach Merrett, Nik Cox
Half-forwards: Devon Smith, James Stewart, Archie Perkins
Forwards: Will Snelling, Peter Wright, Jake Stringer
Followers: Sam Draper, Kyle Langford, Darcy Parish
Interchange: Tom Cutler, Dylan Shiel, Dylan Clarke, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Emergencies: Matt Guelfi, Alec Waterman, Nick Bryan, Brayden Ham

In: Langford, Francis, Clarke

Out: Hooker (omitted), Zaharakis (omitted), Ham (omitted)

Last week's medical sub: Guelfi (not used)

Milestone: Stewart - 50 club games