ESSENDON defender Aaron Francis is set to play his first senior game of the season after a run of strong VFL form.

AFL.com.au understands the 20-year-old is likely to make his first AFL appearance when the Bombers take on Sydney on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

MATCH PREVIEW Bombers v Swans

It has been a long wait for Francis, who has played just five games since joining Essendon as the No.6 pick at the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.

He was the travelling emergency to Gold Coast in round 17 with the Bombers and returned to the VFL last week and impressed across half-back and through the midfield at times.

The Bombers have been keen for Francis to continue to build his fitness throughout the season after an interrupted summer that saw him spend time away from the club to deal with a mental health issue.

Francis also sought a move from Essendon back to South Australia at the end of last year but no trade was agreed upon for the first-round talent.

There could be several changes for the Bombers, with Jake Stringer (calf) and Conor McKenna (groin) in line to return from injury and Shaun McKernan to miss with his season-ending hamstring tear. 

Essendon remains in the hunt for a finals spot having won seven of its past nine games, but will want to turn around a poor recent record against the Swans, who have beaten the Bombers in 10 of the clubs' past 11 matches.