ESSENDON midfielder Mark McVeigh has been handed a one-match in-house suspension by the Bombers after missing a training session on Monday.

McVeigh, who missed Friday night's win over Carlton after being outed for one week for striking Demon Jared Rivers, skipped the session after "socialising" on Sunday.

Coach Matthew Knights says McVeigh's actions meant he was unavailable to come straight back into the senior line-up to face Collingwood on Friday night.

"Mark was unfortunately out socialising on Sunday and missed the training session on Monday," Knights said on Tuesday morning.

"That being the case, his preparation has been hindered for this Friday night's game.

"He'll be playing the VFL and can regain some form and fitness there."

Knights said the need for the sanction was disappointing, but agreed upon by the leadership group.

"Mark's a quality player and he's taken awhile to get going this year because of injury, but last year he was sensational for the Essendon footy club," he said.

"That's the way it goes. I always tell the players we've got 46 on the list and they can all play. I'm not fussed about who I put out there. I know they'll do they club proud”.

Knights said McVeigh did let the club know beforehand that he would miss the training session, but noted it was important that the punishment set an example that unprofessionalism would not be tolerated, regardless of the individual's experience.

"Whether you're a first year player or a second year player or the champion of a football club, if you're not going to get the trademark right, you're not going to get that professionalism right to prepare yourself to play," he said.

"We're not going to pull any punches with anyone. It will be this week in the VFL and then he'll be available for selection the following week."

Meanwhile, Adam McPhee must prove he is over a corked calf at training on Tuesday if he is to play on Friday night.

"He must train well today. I spoke to him about half an hour ago and I said, 'You would have to train at full throttle and get through the session to be put up for selection'.

"That's probably still a question mark at this stage with Adam. I won't be playing him unless he's 100 per cent fit."

Knights also said they would seriously consider including Michael Hurley in the final side, while David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Jay Nash and Tyson Slattery would also come into the mix over the next few weeks.