ESSENDON expects to know more about the intentions of some of its banned players next week when a handful return from overseas holidays to resume training.

Half of the Bombers' dozen players serving 12-month bans for anti-doping breaches remain uncommitted to playing for the club next year once their suspensions end.

Included in that group are the in-demand Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd, while captain Jobe Watson, midfield pair Ben Howlett and Brent Stanton and defender Tayte Pears are also yet to confirm their plans for 2017.

The Western Bulldogs are circling Hurley, who is contracted to the Bombers until the end of next year, but coach John Worsfold remains "very confident" the All Australian will be in red and black next year.

"I think Michael's had a great break [overseas]. Most of the boys are back training now, and I think two or three are due back this week, which Michael is one. That gives us the opportunity to progress things," Worsfold said on Tuesday.

The Bombers have presented a new long-term deal to Hurley beyond 2017 that the former No.5 pick is mulling over, and Worsfold said there was no concern that seven months after Hurley was handed his suspension there was still no clarity on his future.

The club is also likely to put a timeline on when it would want to know the players' intentions, but Worsfold indicated the Bombers have not yet reached that point.

"For every week that goes on, it is getting tighter. But that doesn't mean we're in a rush right now. We're more than comfortable for the boys to get back from overseas, and my guess is that that opens up next week to find out where they're at," Worsfold said.

"I've been involved in the game for a long time and the length of time doesn't always correlate to mean someone's leaving. If you go back and do your data checks, I'd say the odds are still in our favour."

The Bombers are stuck at the bottom of the ladder with just one win this season, and look set to take the No.1 draft pick.

The club is open to trading the selection if the right deal comes its way, but Worsfold said it would take a special offer for it to part with the first draft choice.

"It's a very basic equation. If we get offered something that is more valuable to us than the No.1 pick, we will consider that," Worsfold said.