ESSENDON expects Cale Hooker to face the Brisbane Lions on Sunday after missing last week's loss to Sydney with a finger injury. 

The important key forward was ruled out of the clash with the Swans following a training accident, but has resumed ball work at training in preparation for a return against the Lions at Etihad Stadium.

After booting five goals against Port Adelaide in round 12, Hooker was in good form before the finger dislocation and Essendon missed his presence near goal against Sydney.

The club's high performance manager Justin Crow said Hooker should be ready to come back into the senior side.

"Cale trained today one handed and on Thursday we'll weigh up whether he trains one handed or two handed – potentially it’ll be a mix of both," he told the club website.

"We expect by the time we get to game activation (training) on Saturday and then the match on Sunday he'll be available and ready to play well."

Essendon has a healthy list, with Darcy Parish (calf) and Mitch Brown (ankle) making it through their respective returns to football via the VFL on Saturday.

Exciting youngster Jayden Laverde may also be back from his own ankle injury this weekend in what would be his first game since the JLT Community Series.

The Bombers had high hopes for the 21-year-old this season, but his campaign has so far been ruined by what was described as a rare ankle problem.

He has trained strongly for the past two weeks and is expected to play in the VFL.

"He's looking more and more likely to play some game time in the VFL this weekend and obviously we’re very excited for Jayden … his ankle has come along really well and we expect him to make an impact when he eventually does play," Crow said.