ESSENDON forward Courtney Johns is expected to require a full knee reconstruction following an injury sustained while playing for the Bendigo Bombers in the VFL on Saturday at TEAC Oval.

Johns, 23, will undergo scans in the next 24 hours to confirm what the club already suspects is a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Essendon high performance manager John Quinn said on the club's website the Bombers are "expecting the worst" from the upcoming scans, which will most likely end Johns' season early.

The injury-prone key position player has managed just two senior appearances this year, and just 21 since his 2005 debut with a serious hip problem derailing his career so far.   

He was playing against Port Melbourne at the time of his injury, in his ninth VFL match for the season.