ESSENDON'S forward Cale Hooker is set to replace Shaun McKernan for the Bombers' must-win clash against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.  

Hooker missed last Friday night's nailbiting loss to the Sydney Swans at the SCG due to a finger injury but Bombers' coach John Worsfold said the big forward should be available this weekend. 

"The only minor risk is if he splits the stitches open at training so we are obviously taking precaution that that does not happen," Worsfold said.

"Everything else is tracking well." 

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Worsfold said the coaches were reasonably happy with McKernan's output on Friday night but he was likely to make way for Hooker. 

Darcy Parish, David Myers and Josh Begley are also in contention after strong performances in the VFL last week but Worsfold said the match committee was yet to finalise the team. 

Worsfold said the disappointing final four minutes against the Sydney Swans, when Essendon gave up a 19-point lead to lose by a point, had reminded the players of the mindset they needed to adopt if they found themselves in a similar situation again.

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"The impact we are looking for is that we are smarter and better in those situations, but that we also know why we got into that position, in terms of being in front," Worsfold said.