22/07/2008 12:02 PM
He may have just 26 to choose from, but Essendon coach Matthew Knights has declared he's not prepared to take injured players into Saturday's clash with Collingwood at the MCG.
And there's no prospect that Andrew Lovett's two-match suspension for missing a training session will be overturned to allow him to pitch in against the Pies.
"Once the leadership and myself make a decision, that's the decision," Knights said at Windy Hill on Tuesday.
"The two weeks was the sanction, and the two weeks will stay - Andrew understands that."
Of the 18 players on the club's official injury list, only four - Andrew Welsh (concussion), Darcy Daniher (back), Dustin Fletcher (ankle) and Courtenay Dempsey (leg) - have been pencilled-in for fitness tests.
"We're not going to put injured players out there," said Knights.
"If there's any hint of soreness or they're not quite right we won’t push them."
"We've got 26 available … but you only need 22 so we're fine for the moment."
Knights said the signs were positive for Fletcher who missed last Saturday's controversial loss to Richmond though the prognosis is more problematic for small forward Angus Monfries who turned an ankle against the Tigers.
"We're pretty confident Dustin will be available," Knights said.
"It was an inflammation scenario with his ankle last week - it puffed up a little bit and he just couldn’t put a lot of weight through it - but we think hell be fine."
"Angus is endeavouring to get up, but Angus would endeavour to get up with four different injuries at the one time - that's Angus."
"I'm not sure whether he'll get over the line."
Knights said Welsh, who was heavily concussed against the Tigers, would need to prove his fitness on the training track on Wednesday.
"I'm not going to take any risks," Knights said.
"He's got to have no headaches and be really clear - obviously it was a pretty significant knock because he was in another world on Saturday."
Knights revealed that key forward Jay Neagle will require surgery to repair an ankle fracture.