DAVID Zaharakis is set to face Collingwood in Saturday's Anzac Day clash, with Essendon coach James Hird declaring the key midfielder fit to play.
Zaharakis, who won the Anzac Day Medal in 2013 and kicked the match-winning goal in 2009, hurt his knee in the Bombers' win over Carlton last week.
Earlier in the week the 25-year-old was unsure if he would be fine to meet the Magpies, but he took part in the squad's light training session on Friday morning and his coach has allayed any fears Zaharakis will be a late withdrawal.
"He's playing. Unless he gets sick overnight or falls out of his bed or something new, then he'll definitely play. I think he sleeps quite soundly so he'll be fine," Hird said on Friday.
"He got through the game and we didn't think there was much to it. The doctors rang me on Sunday and said David's knee had pulled up a little sore, but he had a scan and it showed there was a little bit of something.
"But they're confident. He trained very well yesterday and all players have something not 100 per cent about them at certain times, but he's certainly fit to play."
Hird's return helped keep Howlett a Bomber
Key forward Jake Carlisle was also under an injury cloud earlier in the week after having scans on his hip flexor, but will also be right to play as Essendon looks to win its third consecutive match.
"Jake's ready to play. He trained very well yesterday and we're very confident they'll both play well," Hird said.
Adam Cooney (hamstring), David Myers (shoulder) and Heath Hocking (groin) are among a handful of Bombers unavailable for the game through injury, but the club is confident in its experienced list and feels it has strong depth across the ground.
Hird said it was the most senior group he had coach as he starts his fourth year in charge.
"It's the most experienced team we've had. Certainly in 2011, 2012 and 2013 we were a younger team whereas now when we look at our demographics we're shaping up pretty well against other sides," Hird said.
"We do believe we've got an experienced team, a team that wants success. You reward the players who are playing well and so far most of our squad has played pretty well."
Collingwood midfielders Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury have enjoyed a brilliant record against Essendon in previous seasons, with Swan booting four goals from 26 disposals in last year's Anzac Day clash.
The Bombers don't have their first-choice tagger, Hocking, available for selection, but Jake Melksham has taken on the run-with role and did a strong job on Blues star Chris Judd last week.
Swan was a standout in Collingwood's win over St Kilda last week, gathering 38 disposals, 15 inside-50s and seven clearances.
"We may apply a tag to one of their midfielders, and we'll wait and see how the day progresses and who's getting the ball and who's not," Hird said.
"Both Pendlebury and Swan have had very good days against us, and we're pretty determined that won't happen this week but they're excellent players.
"Swan, to me, on the weekend looked like he was back to his 2010-2011 form so he'll be a hard player to stop."
