DUSTIN Fletcher is yet to make a decision on whether he will play on for a 22nd AFL season, but discussions about his plans have begun.

The veteran Essendon defender, who needs to play three more games to break Simon Madden's club record of 378, turned 38 this year.

Coach James Hird said he had spoken with his former teammate about what next year could hold, but Fletcher is yet to make a call on whether he will continue. 

"We've had a couple of conversations, and Dustin will keep playing and make his decision as he goes along this year. We're putting him under no pressure to make that decision," Hird said.

"I think it is Dustin's decision and he'll make the right decision for him and the club.

"I'm not sure what that is and I don’t think he knows what that is right at the moment."

Fletcher has played 11 games this season in between some minor groin niggles and managed rest breaks.

The club is not short of tall defensive options, with some believing Michael Hurley is best suited to a role in the backline.

But Hird, ahead of the Bombers' top-of-the-ladder meeting with Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium on Friday night, said the club would not be rushed on a decision around Fletcher's future.

"We've got six games to go, and hopefully a big finals campaign to go, and there's a lot of the season to go before we make decisions like that," Hird said.

"If he [Fletcher] plays on next year he'd go very close to getting there [to 400 games] but I think he's very much concentrating on this year and getting the most out of this year that he can."

The Bombers are set to welcome back star midfielder David Zaharakis for the clash with the Hawks, after the classy mover missed last week with a minor fracture in his back.

But Jason Winderlich (soreness) will likely miss the Hawthorn game, while the club will be cautious with Heath Hocking after having a month out with a calf complaint.

Captain Jobe Watson could be fit for next week's clash with Collingwood but the Hird said the Bombers would not take any risks with him.

Hird said he would use the next six weeks to "settle down" its key position players, hoping to find the best mix between forward and back after swapping some options around in the last month.

Callum Twomey is a reporter for the AFL website. Follow him on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.