MICHAEL Hurley is likely to miss Essendon's Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG on Thursday.

The Essendon forward injured his left ankle when he fell awkwardly in a marking contest in the third quarter against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

Essendon coach James Hird said Hurley would have scans on Saturday night to determine the damage, but he would be in extreme doubt to line up on Thursday against the Magpies.

"I doubt he'll play Thursday, to be honest," Hird said in his post-match press conference.

"The first indication was that he was in a bit of trouble and then he's walking around (the change rooms) now.

"We'll go and get some x-rays done now and know in the next 24 hours the extent of it.

"It will really depend on the swelling. He's up and about walking, which we didn't think would happen when he hurt it."

But Hird expects fellow Bomber forward Stewart Crameri to be available for the game against the Magpies. 

Crameri was a late withdrawal against the Saints, with Hird trying to explain his injury - of sorts.

"Stewy's got an interesting thing, he's got a little blood vessel in his knee which keeps bursting and fills his knee with blood; there's no actual injury there," Hird said.

"But we thought the benefit of giving him 10 days between games would help him, so we're definitely thinking in our minds that he'll play against Collingwood."

If Hurley is set for a significant spell on the sidelines, Essendon fans can rest easy that the club's back-up options are more than capable.

In his first match since August 2012, Scott Gumbleton loomed large against the Saints. The luckless forward, who has been cruelled by injury during his 29-game career, booted four goals and took 12 marks (five contested) in a stellar performance against an undersized Saints backline.

The Bombers coach said Gumbleton's form was extremely promising.

"It was great. He started well, he was a bit slow for the first 20 minutes, but almost when Michael Hurley went off, Scotty started to take some big marks and up with four goals," Hird said.

"It's exciting. Exciting for Scott and exciting for us."

Recovery will be the order of the day for the Bombers, as they face a short five day turnaround in the lead up to Anzac Day.

Hird said he expects the Bombers to make two to three changes before Thursday, with the club's prized father-son recruit Joe Daniher "definitely in the (selection) mix" after kicking another four goals for Essendon's VFL side on Saturday.

Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher, who missed the clash against the Saints with a groin complaint, is expected to front up.

Essendon fans brought placards with the slogan 'Stand by Hird' to the game on Saturday in support of the coach, who has been embroiled in the supplements scandal.

Hird again thanked the Essendon supporters for standing by him and the club in such trying circumstances.

"The Essendon supporters have been great throughout my whole career. This last eight or nine weeks, they've just been terrific. 

"Their unwavering support is incredible and we're (the club) so grateful for their support."