The ruckman damaged his knee in the opening moments of the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood in what was seen as a severe blow for Essendon's finals chances.
But back-up ruckman Patrick Ryder stood up magnificently not only in that game but for the rest of the season, helping to take the club into its first finals match since 2004.
Ryder is also likely to play his first pre-season match against the Demons, depending on the timing of the birth of his and his partner's baby.
"David's knee is getting stronger each day and he looks ready to take this next step, while we are confident Paddy's daughter will have been born," general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton told the Essendon website.
"As a ruck duo they will cause other teams serious trouble and we are excited about having them out their together."
The Bombers are also hoping to see another tall whose career has been dogged by injury make an appearance in the match.
A navicular (foot) problem kept Jason Laycock out of action in 2009 and the former first-round draft pick will be desperate to find form and fitness heading into the last year of his contract.
Key forward prosepct Scott Gumbleton may also be available after overcoming his latest setback from the back injury that saw him also miss the entire 2009 season.
"Scott Gumbleton will be a wait and see,” Hamilton said.
“He is free of pain. He trained this morning pain-free but we are just being cautious with his progress and we will make a decision as to whether he will play over the next couple of days.”
Hamilton said Courtenay Dempsey and David Myers were also likely to play their first pre-season game.
David Hille is a $237,300 ruckman in this year's Toyota AFL Dream Team.
