JOBE Watson has had screws and a plate inserted in his collarbone as he strives to return to action within six weeks.

 

The Essendon captain had a cracked collarbone following a bump from Port Adelaide's Justin Westhoff on Sunday. He had surgery on Monday and the club says he could return within a month.

 

"They have put some plates and screws across the fracture," club doctor Bruce Reid told essendonfc.com.au.

"Being in the middle of his collarbone that is a good spot because you get good purchase with the plates.

"If you have got a normal collarbone fracture where they overlap and you don't plate them they can be up to 10 weeks but if you can plate them then you get a pretty good heal and they are right in about four to six."

 

Watson will not miss much training, and could return to non-contact drills in two weeks.

 

"He is very positive but obviously very disappointed as you don't want to have an injury that you can't play with," Reid said.

 

Meanwhile, midfielder Brent Stanton will have scans on his ankle before Essendon knows if he will be available to face the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.

 

Stanton was injured in the first half of the Bombers' win over Port Adelaide, but played out the game and had an impact on the result with 23 disposals and two goals.

 

The 27-year-old received a knock to his ankle, with the club unclear of the extent of the injury.

 

"We weren't 100 per cent sure about the type of injury during the game so we will see how he pulls up," Essendon football operations manager Steve Alessio said. 

"He will have scans today (Monday) and we will make an assessment of where he is at with his ankle."

"Fingers crossed it is just a knock which will settle during the week and he will be able to get some training in."

 

Forward Stewart Crameri, the club's leading goalkicker, missed the win over the Power having injured his ankle against West Coast in round 14.

 

Alessio said Crameri is "really confident" of lining up against the Bulldogs, but Heath Hocking would miss at least another week with his calf injury.