MICHAEL Hurley's ankle injury is likely to rule him out of Essendon's meeting with the Sydney Swans at the SCG on Saturday.
Hurley was subbed out of Saturday night's win over Richmond after rolling his ankle in the second quarter, making it the third time this year injury has forced him to wear the red vest.
The 22-year-old has already had issues with the ankle this season, dating back to the NAB Cup, and is unlikely to line up against the Swans.
"It is very disappointing, he has done that ankle before and faces a real struggle to get up this weekend," Essendon football operations manager Steve Alessio told essendonfc.com.au.
"He is pretty sore and proppy today, but they are going to do some further tests later on in the week so we will see how he goes."
Hurley seems set to be replaced by Scott Gumbleton, who took 11 marks and had 21 disposals in the VFL on Saturday, although father-son prospect Joe Daniher will push for a senior debut after booting five goals in the game.
Essendon expects Ben Howlett (shoulder) and Patrick Ryder (ankle) to be available to play against the Swans, with Essendon keen to extend its unbeaten run interstate this season.
Howlett was crunched in a marking contest with Richmond's Jake Batchelor, but played out the game.
"He is a bit sore today but after the doctors and physios have checked him out we think he should be right and get up for this weekend's important game," Alessio said.
Ryder suffered a minor rolled ankle but returned to the field against the Tigers but "he will put it through its paces early in the week but we would expect Paddy to play."
Follow AFL website reporter Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey
