TOM Bellchambers will miss at least a month of pre-season training after injuring his ankle during a drill on Monday.

 

The Essendon ruckman suffered ligament damage and will sit out an important chunk of the training load.

"Tom is our only significant injury, they were doing match practice type drills and he landed on Michael Hibberd's foot," club doctor Bruce Reid told essendonfc.com.au.

"It will cost him a few weeks at this stage."

Reid said the club would take a cautious approach with the 24-year-old, who looms as a vital cog in Essendon's 2014 campaign.

"The first thing we need to do is evaluate it correctly so he has strained both sides including the inside," Reid said.

"When they strain the inside ligament on the ankle it is a little bit slower because it takes a lot of the weight bearing.

"He will be non-weight bearing and in a moon boot for a couple of weeks and then hopefully we can get him up and running again quickly."

Bellchambers is seen as likely to spend a larger amount of time in Essendon's new-look forward line after the club lost attacking options Stewart Crameri and Scott Gumbleton during last year's trade period. 

 

He kicked 28 goals last year, but is also part of a thinner ruck division at Essendon, with Paddy Ryder the only other recognised ruckman on the senior list.

 

Reid said the club was otherwise well-placed to have a fit list play during the NAB Challenge series.

 

"We have been very lucky, there has been good management by the staff but there is always an element of luck and like last year our injury list is looking very good," he said.