ESSENDON is set to welcome back veteran defender James Kelly for Saturday night's clash against Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium, coach John Worsfold says.
Kelly, 33, missed the game against Greater Western Sydney due to groin soreness, but trained strongly at the True Value Solar Centre on Wednesday to put his hand up for selection.
He confirmed to AFL.com.au's AFL Exchange podcast on Wednesday afternoon he would return to the senior team.
"I got through training today," Kelly said.
Worsfold had earlier expressed confidence that the 34-year-old would be right to go in his press conference prior to training.
"He's every chance," Worsfold said in his press conference prior to training.
"We'll see how he's feeling today but at this stage he's feeling good."
Youngster Kyle Langford is also in consideration after a standout display at VFL level against North Ballarat, in which he gathered 32 disposals, took six marks and nailed two goals.
In his past four games at the level, the 20-year-old has averaged 26 disposals, six marks and five tackles and, in his favour, is his ability to play up forward or through the midfield.
The importance of the match-up against the Power was not lost on Worsfold, as the 12th-placed Bombers, with five wins and six losses to their account, try to keep pace with the AFL's top eight.
Essendon is a game behind eighth-placed Fremantle on the ladder and equal on points with Melbourne, Collingwood and St Kilda.
"It's a tight year. You don't want to fall too far behind, so wins really keep you in the mix," Worsfold said.
The Bombers have the bye following their battle against the Power, with the rest to come at a good time for many of the experienced players.
Young midfielder Darcy Parish is likely to return from a calf injury for the game against Sydney following the bye.
Worsfold said the returning banned Bombers, including the experienced Jobe Watson and Tom Bellchambers, were well positioned to contribute in the second half of the season.
"They're tracking pretty well. I've got no doubt that they've got great footy left in them through the remainder of the season," Worsfold said.
"I thought Jobe's game last week (against the Giants) was really good. Tom Bellchambers played a great game – I really believe they're still building towards their best form."
Bomber Brendon Goddard came in for criticism for his half-time dummy spit against Greater Western Sydney last weekend when vision emerged of him taking out his anger on a table full of snacks set out for players.
Playing in his 300th match, Goddard swiped his hand through a handful of pretzels, leaving a mess on the floor of the changerooms.
"Somebody had to sweep it up," Worsfold said.
"It wasn't me, so it didn't worry me.
"So let's find the sweeper and I reckon they'd be a bit disappointed.
"Our last six or seven minutes of that half was really disappointing. BJ must've got there before me; I might've had a swipe at them as well, the way I felt.
"There was no damage done."
