ESSENDON is confident talented youngster Aaron Francis is getting closer to a return to the field after resuming training with the club in the past month.

The No.6 pick at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft took four weeks away from the Bombers in February as he battled a mental health issue before rejoining training in March.

Although he was drafted from South Australia, Francis remained based in Melbourne during his break away from the Bombers.

However, the 20-year-old has not played since getting back to Tullamarine, including sitting out last week's first game for the club's VFL side against Frankston.

Bombers football manager Dan Richardson told AFL.com.au the club was hopeful Francis will be back sooner rather than later, but a set date had not been locked in.

"Nothing is set in stone, but his program is building to a point at the moment where he's involved in a good percentage of normal training, which is good," Richardson said.

"We're just wanting to get Aaron at a stage that gives him the best opportunity to not only play his best footy, but obviously get some continuity as well.

"It's hard to put a definitive timeline on it, but hopefully if it all keeps progressing OK we're getting closer to introducing him back into some games."

Francis has played five games for the Bombers in his two completed years at the club, and sought a trade to a South Australian club at the end of last season.

Contracted to the Bombers, no serious offers were put forward for Francis, who returned to the red and black.

He has struggled to meet the running and fitness demands required for the top level and had some soft-tissue concerns, but has shown his ability in defence and close to goal with Essendon's VFL side and is a terrific intercept mark.