BANNED Essendon veteran Brent Stanton remains no closer to confirming his intentions for next season, but says he "bleeds red and black".

The 30-year-old midfielder, one of the 34 past and present Bombers handed 12-month bans by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is among the group of suspended players training together away from the club's Tullamarine headquarters.

Of the 12 banned Essendon-listed players, Stanton along with captain Jobe Watson, Michael Hibberd, Tayte Pears, Michael Hurley and Ben Howlett are yet to detail their plans for 2017.

Stanton said coach John Worsfold had reassured him that he would be welcomed back if he chose to return to the club.

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"I've been there (from) the day I turned 18 years old so it's going to be hard (not to return) – I've spent almost half my life there," Stanton told Channel Seven on Sunday.

"I bleed red and black, and that's what I know and where I know to go. Pretty much I get in my car and my car almost takes me there straight away.

"It's an exciting time for that football club. I've still got a lot of mates and that's what drags you back … you go to where your mates are and that's where all my mates are."

Stanton signed a one-year contract extension with Essendon at the end of last season, which included a trigger clause to push the deal into 2017.

However, the 248-gamer is now an unrestricted free agent and can automatically switch to a club of his choice.

Stanton said he was leaning towards resuming his AFL career next season, but acknowledged the mental challenge ahead of him.

"I've still got a decision to make over the next three or four months. I'm probably going to head away in July with the family and just take a break," Stanton said.

"Mentally is the biggest challenge, you sit back and you wonder if you've still got it … that long period of time (away) is something that you've really got to get over and the circumstances play a part in that as well."

Fellow banned Bombers Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers, Travis Colyer, David Myers and Heath Hocking have all recommitted to the club for next season.

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