Coach Matthew Knights said the Bombers were yet to decide whether or not to gamble on the fitness of Mark McVeigh and youngster Michael Hurley for the round four meeting at Subiaco.
McVeigh is in danger of missing a second straight week despite having recovered from a blood infection.
He has done little since playing in round two against Fremantle, with the veteran midfielder last week spending five nights in hospital overcoming the illness.
Meanwhile, Knights is contemplating bringing Hurley straight into the senior side after the prodigiously-talented 19-year-old booted four goals in an impressive display at VFL level last weekend.
Essendon suspended Hurley for the opening three rounds following an alcohol-fuelled incident in September last year.
Knights said while his team’s forward line had been more productive in its win over Carlton, he was looking forward to getting his young key-position star back in the action.
“Michael missed a fair bit earlier in the pre-season as well … we’ve got to make sure he’s right to come in physically,” Knights said on Tuesday morning.
“The last month’s been good for Michael. He’s had a good month training-wise … he’s been through a challenging period in his life, and we look forward to the next time he represents the Essendon footy club because we think he’s a fine young player.
“So it’s just a matter of whether it’s this week or the following week.
“I’m not leaning any way [on that]. We’ll make the decision in the next 24 hours.”
McVeigh was set to train on Tuesday morning for the first time since overcoming his illness, but with the Bombers flying to Perth on Thursday morning, Knights is wary of his star not having an ideal preparation.
“It’s really an unknown at this stage because he spent [a fair] time in hospital and he’ll need to get his body moving a bit,” Knights said before training.
“He’s obviously feeling heaps better, but we’ll see how he goes through the session and make a decision [on] whether he goes to Perth or whether he needs to get a run under his belt.”
While the Bombers will wait and see on McVeigh and Hurley, Angus Monfries is certain to miss another week with a quad strain.
Despite West Coast being winless after three rounds, Knights knows the Eagles will be tough opposition on Friday night.
His side lost its NAB Cup opener to John Worsfold’s side in Perth earlier this year. Eagles youngster Nic Naitanui ran amok that night, and the Bombers coach sees Friday’s ruck duel as being a highlight.
“I think Naitanui and Cox v Hille and Ryder is a great one for the evening,” he said.
“I think it’s going to be a tough challenge, four quality players - you know it’s probably going to have a big bearing on the game.”
Knights said he would back his big men to perform while his side, fresh from its opening win of 2010, was relishing the prospect of again shining under the bright lights.
“The players in our club love playing on a big stage, and last Saturday night was one of those,” he said.
“You get an opportunity on national television again on Friday night in front of a big crowd to have the responsibility - the 22 players that run out for Essendon, to represent our club and do our club proud and play hard. That’s the exciting part about playing on Friday night footy.
“So we’ll see if we can back up what we did last week, but the proof will come Friday evening.”
