Bellchambers went under the knife last month for follow-up surgery to his ankle reconstruction in January.
The 202cm big man, who is set to shoulder more responsibility following Paddy Ryder's move to Port Adelaide, is recovering well and could be running by the end of the month, according to Essendon’s head of coaching development and strategy Neil Craig.
"We would be really disappointed if he weren't back in full training before Christmas," Craig told the Herald Sun.
"There are no guarantees, but we are not sitting here saying 'gosh, that is a serious ankle surgery there, we could be in a bit of trouble'.
"Not at all.
"He was limited last year with the training that he could do, because we had to manage him through. So, once he can do the work, we are keen for him to jump straight in.
"Half way through December if he is ready to go, he'll do it (ramp up training) because as you could understand, he could end up being a pretty important player for us."
Bellchambers was restricted to just eight games last season after his ankle reconstruction.
The 25-year-old only returned at AFL level in round nine and suffered ongoing pain.
He averaged 9.2 disposals and 15 hit-outs, but Craig believes Bombers fans are yet to see the best of the big man.
"He has got some outstanding years of footy in front of him, and we think with a lot of improvement," Craig said.
"He should be and we are pretty excited about it, but we have got to get him physically in good health to be able to do the work.
"He was getting towards pain-free towards the end of the year and then we played him for a couple of weeks and it would stir it up again.
"So the reason for the operation was to get him pain-free with the purpose of setting up an uninterrupted preseason."
Bellchambers, who has played 69 career games and booted 51 goals, is expected to lead the Bombers' ruck alongside Greater Western Sydney recruit Jonathan Giles next year.
