"I think it's probably heading that way," Dover said while speaking to NAB AFL Trade Radio on Tuesday.

 

"[Howlett's] very comfortable if Hirdy's going to continue coaching, there would be a commitment towards Essendon," he said.

 

"We were waiting for some direction from the club in terms of a coach and what was going to happen.

 

"It's not that Ben wasn’t happy playing under Bomber (Thompson), it's more a case of trying to understand exactly where Essendon were going and who is going to be the coach.

 

"Certainly if that is James Hird, then Ben's supportive of that and very much willing to consider signing now."

 

Howlett spoke to Hird on Monday, who eased his concerns in regards to the club's future.

 

Dover said the club would hold a meeting on Tuesday afternoon in which he hoped terms for Howlett's contract could be agreed upon.

 

"They've got a list management meeting later [on Tuesday] where some of those things might be resolved and we may be able to try to get this contract sorted out and a commitment made," he said.

 

"All we would need to do is a bit of tinkering in terms of the guaranteed base and a few incentive elements."

 

Howlett has played 97 games for the Bombers, including 21 in 2014.