Essendon's Conor McKenna gets a handball away against North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images/AFL Photos

CONOR McKenna's run of bad luck has continued with the Essendon defender set to be sidelined by a broken finger.

BOMBERS v KANGAROOS Full match coverage and statistics

AFL.com.au can reveal the Irishman, who returned for his first AFL game of the season against North Melbourne on Saturday night, had scans on Sunday which showed he had a broken finger.

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It is understood surgery is likely, with the club to assess in coming days how many weeks he will miss. The Bombers are hopeful it will not result in a long stint out of action. 

Tigers forward Tom Lynch underwent hand surgery last Monday and was cleared to play in Richmond’s clash with Sydney on Sunday wearing a glove.

The setback follows McKenna's rocky start to the season, which saw him become the first AFL player to test positive to COVID-19 last month.

That test resulted in Essendon's round three clash with Melbourne being postponed and for McKenna to serve his third stint of quarantine this year following his return to Ireland when the AFL season was suspended. 

13:10

AFL explains decision to postpone Sunday's Dons-Dees clash

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan fronts the media after Conor McKenna tests positive to COVID-19, courtesy of Fox Footy

McKenna's dash and dare was on show in the Bombers' 14-point win over the Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium, gathering 18 disposals.

He is an important player in the club's hopes to continue its strong start to 2020, having finished fourth in the Bombers' best and fairest last year.

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