ESSENDON is set to keep star swingman Jake Carlisle wrapped in cotton wool for at least another two weeks before clearing him to return to full training ahead of the NAB Challenge.

The Bombers have taken a cautious approach with the key big man after he returned to training in November complaining of pain in his knee.

Carlisle has now been cleared of his troublesome patella tendonitis and protested that he was "good to go" on Wednesday.

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But Essendon doctor Bruce Reid said the club will keep the leash on the important 198cm key position player.

“Jake has been very angry because he thinks he should be in the full group now but we have taken a conservative approach," Reid told the club's website.

"He had some patella tendonitis, it's pretty important to nip that in the bud early.

"He's frustrated because he thinks he should be doing everything, we think he should be doing about 70 per cent.

"But he'll be in full training in the next two to three weeks."

The Bombers' injury list has diminished recently, with young guns Will Hams (hip) and Jackson Merrett (hamstring) back in full training. 

Alex Browne has also joined in some drills after a calf complaint slowed his return from a knee reconstruction.

But the Bombers still have some ongoing injury concerns.

Key defender Tayte Pears is out of a moon boot after an Achilles issue, however he remains four-to-six weeks away from resuming training.

Heath Hocking (groin) is not expected back in full training until at least mid-February, while Nick Kommer (knee cap) is unlikely to join the main group before March. 

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Kurt Aylett continues to be restricted by a hamstring problem.

“Kurt has had a hard time because he has a split in his hamstring tendon,” Reid said.

“As the general public know tendon’s heal much slower than muscles so they are a bit more unpredictable.

“He has had a bit of a hard time and he will be a few more weeks away yet.”