Hooker hasn’t played since tearing a hamstring in Essendon’s round eight win over St Kilda, but coach Matthew Knights declared the backman a near certainty to come into the Bombers side.
He will be a welcome addition for Knights, whose side is not only coming off a 71-point drubbing at the hands of Geelong but is also set to face a Hawthorn outfit gaining momentum.
Part of that momentum can be put down to the form and confidence of key forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.
Hooker’s likely inclusion will provide Knights with greater options and relieve some pressure on defensive pillars Tayte Pears and Dustin Fletcher.
“We expect him to play,” Knights said of Hooker on Monday. “He actually did all the training last week but we were just going to be a little bit too short (to play him last week).
“So having Franklin and Roughead being a nemesis in the forward line for any back line, I think Cale is pretty important this week, as well as Dustin and Tayte.
“It's going to be great to have Cale back, he was probably our form backman with Dustin before he went out of the team.”
The Bombers beat the Hawks in round six, but after losing its past two matches has slipped out of the eight.
The Hawks have won five in a row to move to inside the top eight - setting the scene for a massive Friday night crowd at the MCG.
“It's a huge game,” Knights told the club's web site. “We got Hawthorn's number earlier in the year but their last four to five weeks have been much more decisive, much more like the Hawthorn of old. They come [into the game] with good form.
“I thought we have been in good form but the other night we dropped away.
“We just have to reinvigorate for Friday night, we are looking forward to a big game in front of a big crowd.”
