ESSENDON coach John Worsfold won't be involved in the club's discussions with suspended star Michael Hurley's management this week as the All Australian defender weighs up his future beyond 2016.
 
Hurley's five-year deal with the Bombers expires at the end of 2017, but unlike five of his banned teammates, he has yet to recommit to returning to the club next season when his 12-month doping ban ends.
 
The club's chief executive Xavier Campbell this week said he was due to meet with Hurley's manager, Paul Connors, to discuss the 25-year-old's contract. It is understood Hurley will take some time to make a decision about his playing future.
 
Worsfold said he wouldn't be included in those chats regarding Hurley's plans, but that he would continue to be in regular contact with the important backman.
 
"I will touch base with him as I do, but I won't be involved in that. I'm not really trying to read their minds or anything, other than just talking to them and catching up," he said.
 
"They like to ask how the players are going and how I'm seeing things, and I like to know what they're up to, what they're doing with their time now and what their plans are over the next month or two."
 
Of the 12 listed Essendon players serving World Anti-Doping Agency bans, Heath Hocking, David Myers, Travis Colyer and Cale Hooker have all signed new deals for next year and beyond while captain-in-waiting Dyson Heppell has pledged to fulfill his existing contract.
 
Hurley, Jobe Watson, Tayte Pears, Michael Hibberd, Tom Bellchambers and Ben Howlett are yet to confirm their intentions for next year. Worsfold said he didn't expect the uncertainty about their futures to drag into the off-season.
 
"Obviously, going into the trade period we need to have some idea of the numbers on our list, but it's not critical. I'm pretty confident we'll have a great idea of where they all sit by then," he said.
 
On the field Essendon also faces another challenge on Sunday, when it meets St Kilda at Etihad Stadium where it will be aiming to snap a six-game losing streak.
 
The Bombers overcame a goalless first half against North Melbourne last week (their lowest score to half-time since 1915) to get within 14 points of the unbeaten Kangaroos and Worsfold said it was important the Bombers played more consistently.
 
"We feel like we're improving parts of our game, but obviously not for four quarters. That's what we've got to do, to win a game we need to play better for four quarters and that's what we're asking of each other," he said.
 
In-form midfielder Zach Merrett received a corked calf in the late stages of training on Thursday but left the track shortly after with a group of teammates.
 
Shaun Edwards impressed on the track after a strong performance at VFL level last weekend and Worsfold confirmed the exciting forward is a chance to play his first senior game of the year against the Saints.
 
The Bombers might also continue to use developing forward Joe Daniher in a ruck role after the 22-year-old impressed there at times last week.
 
"I've been reluctant to use Joe in the ruck because I want Joe to keep developing his forward line work, but it won't hurt him to keep his hand in doing some ruck weeks," Worsfold said.
 
"In various weeks he will do some, and others he'll just play solely as a forward."