Could former Essendon superstar James Hird soon be making a re-appearance on an AFL field for his beloved Bombers?

Not as a player but as a runner.

Essendon coach Matthew Knights revealed on Wednesday that the 1996 Brownlow Medalist and the club's greatest modern-day player, who retired at the end of last season, had offered his services but said it was unlikely to happen - at least in the near future.

"He has expressed to boys like Andrew Welsh and Mark McVeigh that he is fine and he is running and is right to go with whatever we throw at him," Knights said on Wednesday.

"James is just one of those guys who would help out in any area because he just loves the football club."

But Knights said he has not spoken to Hird personally about assuming running duties for the Bombers.

"I haven't spoken to James about that as yet," said Knights, in leaving the door slightly ajar for Hird.

"As far as I know all our runners are fine although David Calthorpe (like Hird a member of Essendon's 1993 premiership team) is away for a couple of days because he just had a daughter."

Knights joked that Hird's natural instincts might take over if he decided to act as the club runner.

"He might start filling the hole and getting a few disposals because his natural instincts would be to go for the ball," he said.

Knights however did say Hird's presence around the club was always a boost for the team.

"He was down in the rooms after the Carlton game and he just loves the environment of football," Knights said.

"Any time James Hird is around the Essendon footy club - either match day or during the week - is of benefit to us because he is much-admired and he has a great relationship with a lot of the guys - not just senior guys like Welsh, McVeigh and Lloyd but a lot of the younger guys as well."