ESSENDON midfielder David Zaharakis appears likely to miss this week's clash with North Melbourne as he battles an ankle injury.
 
Zaharakis suffered the complaint in last week's loss to Fremantle and although at first he was able to push on, he finished the game on the bench.
 
Club doctor Bruce Reid told the club's website the 25-year-old is set to sit out Friday night's meeting with the Kangaroos at Etihad Stadium and could miss more games.
 
"David Zaharakis is our biggest worry. He twisted his ankle and could go back on, but by the end of the game we had to leave him off the ground for the last five or 10 minutes," Reid said.
 
"He's probably actually in doubt for a couple of weeks unfortunately."
 
Zaharakis has played every game this season but is yet to fully hit his straps, having surpassed the 20-possession barrier only once so far. He also had a knock to his knee in round three.
 
Dustin Fletcher missed last week's trip to Perth with a sore groin and could return against the Roos' trio of tall forwards, while fellow veteran Paul Chapman is in line for a recall after missing two weeks with a leg strain.
 
"[Chapman] trained yesterday and we'll throw him out with the big group tomorrow. Hopefully he plays this week," Reid said.
 
Tagger Heath Hocking is yet to play this season as he deals with an on-going groin injury, which is set to sideline him for a further month.
 
Forward Nick Kommer has been unsighted in Essendon colours since round 22, 2013, after missing all of 2014 with knee tendinitis. The 24-year-old played 19 games in his debut AFL season and kicked 10 goals but has had to manage the issue for a year-and-a-half since.
 
The club is hopeful his return is imminent.
 
"Nick Kommer is really doing well now and we're hopeful we can get some real fitness into him at high pressure and play him in about three weeks," Reid said.