ESSENDON expects to have its best running defenders Courtenay Dempsey and Jason Winderlich back in tandem sooner rather than later.

In the space of a dreadful few minutes of last year's round-four AFL clash against Carlton, both went down with season-ending knee injuries.

Essendon did brilliantly to hang on for a draw that day despite playing two men short for more than three quarters against the Blues.

In the broader sense the Bombers' defensive unit also did pretty well to cover for Dempsey and Winderlich for the bulk of 2011, but their returns can only make Essendon a better team in James Hird's second year at the helm.

Dempsey, 24, has recovered slightly quicker than Winderlich, enjoying a solid pre-season and impressive NAB Cup campaign, and is a near-certain starter for Saturday's round-one clash with North Melbourne.

Winderlich, 27, suffered a minor setback after pulling up sore following his first NAB Cup hit-out against Sydney but he should see senior action again some time in April.

"Probably in the first few rounds of the season (Winderlich) should be looking to play a game to really build his confidence," Essendon midfielder Heath Hocking said on Monday.

"He played a game in the NAB Cup and played pretty well so we hope to see him out there soon.

"... I think Dempsey has been playing really well.

"He had good from in the pre-season and we look to see him play round one as well."

Essendon have enjoyed a largely trouble-free pre-season, with the obvious exception of their non-arrival for the NAB Cup match against St Kilda in Wangaratta.

An injury list that reached an alarming length at times late in 2011 is in much better shape at the start of the new campaign.

"It's obviously a good thing to have at your footy club, having competition for spots," Hocking said.

"That's an exciting part for the footy club having a lot of players to pick from."