LANCE Franklin's menacing return to form should have Essendon fans' nerves jangling ahead of their side's high-stakes clash with Sydney.

Franklin has tormented the Bombers over the years with 79 goals in 20 meetings - more than he has kicked against any other club.

And while the 36-year-old is nearing the end of his glittering career, there is a sense he would relish delivering another knockout blow to an old rival at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Franklin has kicked multiple goals in three straight matches and looms large over a contest that will have a huge bearing on both sides' finals chances.

The up-tick in form has come amid speculation the fourth-highest goal-kicker in AFL/VFL history is keen to play on into a 20th season.

"He's a phenomenal footballer and he's building some really good form," Swans assistant coach Dean Cox said, adding a decision on Franklin's playing future rests with the man himself.

"He's been really important for us the past couple of weeks and he's playing his role against some really quality defenders.

"Hopefully he can do that again."

Franklin struggled for form and fitness earlier this season but had a huge say with three crucial goals in Sydney's win over Fremantle last week.

"Lance just wants to play as well as he possibly can and his body allows him to," Cox said.

"For us it's about trying to make sure he's one of 23 that go out there and hopefully he plays his best, but we all enjoy seeing Lance playing well."

Franklin will line up in attack for an unchanged Sydney team against an Essendon defence that has lost Jordan Ridley (quad) for the rest of the home-and-away season.

Bombers X-factor Jake Stringer (foot) is also unavailable, with Nick Hind and Jye Menzie called back into the starting 22.

Essendon has lost four of its last five matches and slid out of the top eight, and face a Swans side buoyed by successive wins that have put them back into finals calculations.

Last year's beaten grand finalists haven't sat inside the top eight since round five but could take a huge step towards a finals berth with victory over the Bombers.

"We've got to focus on making sure the players are aware of what's right in front of them," Cox said.

"We plan and we prepare for Essendon, and what happens down the track is in our own (hands).

"We've got to make sure that we get the job done and it starts Saturday night."