ESSENDON'S slashing start to the season will receive another boost on Saturday when talented, but injury-riddled forward Scott Gumbleton returns to football in the VFL.

Gumbleton has not played this year after back surgery over the summer, which, it is hoped, will bring an end to the chronic hamstring injuries that have kept him to just 22 games in six years at Windy Hill.

"It's a good step forward for him," Paul Hamilton, Essendon's general manager of football operations, told The Age, ahead of the game for Bendigo against Collingwood at Victoria Park.

"He's good. He's done a lot of work and we're happy he's got to this stage. We're happy that he's going to be out there getting a feel for the competitive part again."

Teammate Sam Lonergan told SEN on Thursday morning that Gumbleton's return had sent a buzz through the playing group at the club.

"We're all right behind him," he said. "He is a massive part of the group. He's a great guy and he works really hard."