DESPITE another surge in soft-tissue injuries, Essendon coach James Hird says the club holds no doubts about its new fitness program.

A calf injury to Patrick Ryder on Wednesday compounded a hamstring injury to forward Michael Hurley last week and a long-term quad injury to reigning best and fairest winner David Zaharakis in June.

It has come on the back of a spate of soft-tissue complaints at the start of the season after an arduous pre-season program under new high performance manager, Dean Robinson.??

But Hird still believes the short-term pain would be a long-term gain in building the Bombers into a more physically capable, strong and resilient side.

"Certainly we're not happy with the injuries we're getting," Hird said on Friday.

"Part of it is a new program and teaching guys how to get fitter and stronger and we're still confident that we need to get physically better to compete with the best sides, and with that comes consequences and risk.

"We think we've got an excellent physical preparation program that is having some problems at the moment, but we think it will do the right thing over a long [period of] time."

Essendon has played seven games at its home ground Etihad Stadium this season, where the surface is renowned for being harder than most AFL grounds.

Hird noted the ground might have played a small part in the club's injuries battles this season and in the past, but denied it was a major factor.

"I think the contrast in surface between Windy Hill, which is very soft at the moment, and Etihad has a very minimal role in it," Hird said.

"It's not just this year Essendon has had significant injuries, and the harder surface at Etihad would have a small contribution to that. But in other ways it prepares you better for other grounds. We can't sit here and complain about Etihad."??

Without Hurley, Ryder, Zaharakis and Stewart Crameri (suspension), the Bombers' forward line will need restructuring when it meets Port Adelaide on Saturday at AAMI Stadium.?

Marking forward Scott Gumbleton will form part of the new-look attack as he returns for his first AFL game since round 18, 2010, after several strong performances in the VFL with Bendigo Gold.

"We're confident he's played well enough to come in and give us a really good game tomorrow against Port Adelaide," Hird said.

"His story, we hope from now on, is injury-free."

Hird said speedy forward Jason Winderlich was at least another couple of VFL games away before making his return to senior football, while he suggested first-round draftee Elliott Kavanagh was close to making his debut against Port Adelaide but had pulled up tight after last week's VFL game.

Winderlich and Kavanagh will play for Bendigo on Saturday against Casey Scorpions at Windy Hill.

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