ESSENDON believes spearhead Scott Lucas is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury, and is expected to be available for selection a month before the mid-season break.

Lucas, 30, injured his posterior cruciate ligament in round one this year, and was initially pencilled in to miss up to three months.

The forward is reportedly one month in front of his proposed rehabilitation time, which could mean he rejoins his teammates in time for the Bombers' round 10 Friday night clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

"It is a positive that he is already tracking well ahead of schedule," team manager David Calthorpe said on the club's website.

"We are really pleased that his recovery has come along so quickly but, that being said, he is on the long-term injury list.

"As a result, he is still going to have to serve the full 10 weeks.

"The timing obviously fits with our policy so far in which we bring guys back through the VFL. Given the injury that Scott has had, he may have to play a game there."

The website also said Tom Hislop and Courtenay Dempsey are chances to play for the Bendigo Bombers this week, while Scott Gumbleton is expected to be rested for one more week as he overcomes a hamstring injury.

It is also unknown when defender Andrew Lee will return after the 21-year-old underwent a shoulder reconstruction last week.