ESSENDON has suspended talented midfielder Andrew Lovett for the second time this season for missing a compulsory training session.

But coach Matthew Knights insists he still has a future at Windy Hill.

Lovett was out drinking and socialising on Sunday night and failed to attend a training run the following morning.

Following a meeting between Knights and the club's leadership group, Lovett was handed a two-week ban, meaning he will miss the matches against Richmond and Collingwood.

Knights said the punishment was fair as Lovett had failed to meet the club's training standards.

"There's nothing too much sinister behind it, there was no trouble or anything when he was out socialising," Knights said.

"But it was just the fact he hasn't made the session and we don't think that's in the best interests of the footy club.

"To be blunt, Andrew was having a few drinks.

"He wasn't too bad when came in on Monday to see me, he certainly had his wits about him, he was fine and was really quite apologetic as you could realise for someone in that situation.

"It's unfortunate but the leadership group and myself felt (the penalty) was fair."

Knights was disappointed and frustrated with Lovett's inability to adhere to the club's team rules.

The 25-year-old was also suspended in late February for all of Essendon's pre-season campaign after skipping another training session.

Last year, Lovett was fined $500 but escaped a criminal conviction for breaching an intervention order against his former girlfriend.

Knights revealed Lovett had undergone counselling after his indiscretion earlier this year but said his latest misdemeanour had not jeopardised his career at the club.

"It's disappointing because Andrew has been playing really good football and since his previous indiscretion earlier in the year he's been exemplary – his training, his attitude and the way he's been presenting himself. So it's a slip-up from Andrew's perspective.

"It's frustrating but no, that's certainly not the end of him at this football club.

"We're really here to support him because people do make mistakes. He's a good young man and he's had his ups and downs in the past but we're not going to hang him out to dry because, fundamentally, he's a good person."