AN ANKLE injury has sidelined Essendon's David Myers but the midfielder is expected to be back in training by the end of next week.
The 25-year-old, who played 18 games last year, has joined a group of players on a modified program.
However, the club expects the damaging left-footer to be out of action only in the short term, with Bombers doctor Bruce Reid saying Myers will likely return to full drills soon.
"A week ago just in a drill someone fell across his ankle so that has put him out of action for this week," Reid said on the club's website.
"We expect him to be running by the end of this week and back in full training by the end of next week.”
Of more concern to the Bombers will be the fitness of key tall Jake Carlisle, who has yet to join full training this pre-season while dealing with a persistent bout of patella tendinitis.
Reid said the 23-year-old, who kicked 27 goals last year in 19 games but hit peak form in the second half of the season, was likely to rejoin the main group this week.
"He had pretty severe patella tendinitis and it is the sort of injury that you can not get better during the season," Reid said.
"We have taken our time but he has now ticked off top-end speed running and has joined in skills so we expect him to be fully back in soon.
"We expect him fully back in so he gets a good six weeks training before the first game."
Essendon rookie Kurt Aylett looks set to be unavailable for the start of the season after tearing his hamstring, which will see him sidelined for another six weeks.
Dons confident ankle injury won't stop key midfielder
Dons optimistic twisted ankle won't derail key midfielder's pre-season
