ESSENDON defender Michael Hibberd will be sidelined for up to three weeks after scans showed he suffered a minor hamstring strain during the Bombers' round 18 win over the Western Bulldogs.
"Unfortunately he has a … a minor tear," club doctor Bruce Reid told the Essendon website.
"Because it is low in the hamstring, it allows him to play on, which he did for a quarter before he tightened up.
"He is probably going to miss two to three weeks."
The Bombers have also issued a statement refuting a recent Fairfax Media report, which suggested that James Hird was losing the support of some members of the club's board.
"The Essendon Football Club Board wishes to re-confirm its position relating to James Hird," the statement read.
"The board is unanimous in its support of James and the strategy in place relating to his return to the club.
"To suggest the board is split in its support for James is simply not true.
"Given the testing time our club has been through over the past two years, the board is immensely proud of the resilience of our players, coaches, staff and supporters and have no doubt that the ongoing loyalty of everyone at Essendon will continue to galvanise our club.
"We are united as a club and the Essendon board will continue to make decisions in the best interest of our players, staff and members."
