DUSTIN Fletcher's record-breaking 379th game for Essendon is on hold after a hamstring injury ruled him out of Saturday night's clash with Richmond.

 

Fletcher has missed the past two weeks with suspension after equalling Simon Madden's club record of 378 club against West Coast in round 20.

 

The Dons were due to celebrate his milestone this week against the Tigers but Fletcher may have to play on into a 22nd AFL season if he is to pass Madden's mark.

 

Essendon football operations manager Steve Alessio said the injury came at training last week.

 

"Dustin last weekend hurt his hamstring during training, we tested it out during the week but he is going to miss this weekend’s game with a hamstring injury," Alessio told essendonfc.com.au. 

"It is disappointing for Dustin and us that he won’t be out there for his 379th game."

 

Fletcher, who has played 13 games this season, recently said he was keen to extend his career into 2014.

 

"I would love to be a part of the team next year but we will just have to see how the next few games go," Fletcher told The Hangar.

 

His future may be complicated by the emergence of several young key defenders at the club, with Cale Hooker, Jake Carlisle and Tayte Pears all showing promise as long-term backmen.

 

Fletcher said he would need to be playing his role if he goes on. 

 

"You look at a team and you look at a spine of the team the way footy is played with our midfield, we have a midfield that can compete with the best teams in the competition," he said.

"We are lucky enough to have seven or eight good talls that can hold those key positions down and in the ruck with Paddy (Ryder) and Tommy (Bellchambers) I think we have a good basis.

"If I am still doing my bit well then I would like to go on and see how I go next year but time will tell and we will wait and see how this year unfolds."

 

Meanwhile, Bombers forward Nick Kommer will miss the clash with a broken hand.