Essendon coach Matthew Knights has declared skipper Jobe Watson a certain starter for Friday night's crunch clash against Carlton at the MCG.
And midfielder Jason Winderlich is a strong chance to return to the Bombers line-up following surgery to repair a broken bone in his hand.
Watson has been troubled by a corked calf for the past fortnight and could barely walk at the end of last week's win over the Saints at Etihad Stadium.
But, according to Knights, he's in no doubt for Friday night.
"He's a first-year captain, plays an enormous amount on the inside, big contested ball man," said Knights of Watson at Windy Hill on Thursday morning.
"He's going to get knocks and bruises as does (Sam) Mitchell, as does (Luke) Hodge, as does (Chris) Judd."
"Those players cop knocks and whacks each week and he's just got a few of those that have hung around a bit, but there's no strain, there's no tear, there's no anything like that."
Winderlich appears to have made a better than expected recovery after breaking his hand against North Melbourne in Round 17.
"He needs to get through some different pieces today that will be closer correlated to what he would go through tomorrow night whether it be tackling or the physical contests," said Knights.
"He's made a dramatic recovery and he's really looking forward to playing so we're going to give him every opportunity because he's had a fine year."
Knights confirmed that Andrew Welsh, who's managed to keep a tight rein on Judd in recent clashes with the Blues, will miss with a rib injury sustained in the VFL last week.
He said the conditions on Friday night will be a significant factor and he expects the Blues, stung by last week's heavy defeat by Collingwood, to come our firing.
"They're going to be really sticking their nose over the ball and they're going to be very physical," he said.
"Our players should expect that and we've got to look to match them."
"The tale will be in the first 10 or 15 minutes tomorrow night to see which team gets the upper hand early and sets the agenda."
Asked whether the Bombers' six-game winning run over the Blues will be a factor, Knights said: "We haven't brought the history books out this week."
"We know it's a new contest and a new game."
"Carlton have had a big week and they're going to be fierce for the whole four quarters."