MARK Harvey has warned his Fremantle players not to expect a rest after the weekend clash with Essendon, or they won't get one.

Fremantle is looking to win its third game of the season on Sunday at Subiaco against the Bombers, but with the week off afterwards for the split round, Harvey has made sure his players understand they must perform.

"Every club and every player has to deal with how they handle the break and if players are looking ahead to having a rest it will cost you a game," he said.

"I've spoken to the group about that already and if players don’t perform on Sunday, they won't get a rest.

"If I get any hint of that mindset in the lead up and on Sunday, I will consider not giving them time off. They are on notice every week, though, and it's just unusual that we have a bye coming up."

Harvey has already run out of patience with Heath Black, now that he has served his two-week suspension, and he will have to make his way back into the side via South Fremantle.

"Heath has to go back and play well at WAFL level. How long he is there will depend on how he performs," Harvey said.

"Heath understands where he's at and hopefully never finds himself in this situation again. It's both a discipline and fitness issue, he hasn’t played a lot of football right across the board this year and that has been disappointing."

Fremantle will have a nine-day break coming into the game after playing St Kilda at Telstra Dome last Friday and that should help Luke McPharlin (ribs) and Michael Johnson (ankle) overcome injuries, but Harvey has some in-form defenders to call on if they aren't fit.

"We have a nine-day break, so that should help. Luke is more likely to play and we will have to wait and see on Michael," he said.

"We've got a couple of guys playing well at WAFL level in Scotty Thornton and Steven Dodd, while (Marcus) Drum and Josh Head could be considered. We will need them too because Essendon has a dangerous forward line.

"We've kept sides down to reasonable scores over the last four or five weeks, so defensively we have been a lot better and hopefully we can cover those guys if they miss."