Essendon forward Michael Hurley looks unlikely to line up against Sydney this weekend with further tests to be undergone on his injured ankle.

Hurley rolled his ankle midway through the second quarter of Saturday night’s win against Richmond.

Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said the 22-year-old was in doubt for Saturday twilight hit out against the Swans.

“It is very disappointing, he has done that ankle before and faces a real struggle to get up this weekend,” Alessio said.

“He is pretty sore and proppy today, but they are going to do some further tests later on in the week so we will see how he goes.”

In positive news for the club, both Ben Howlett (shoulder) and Patrick Ryder (ankle) should be fit to line up against the in-form Sydney side.

Howlett suffered soreness to his shoulder after a heavy collision with Richmond defender Jake Batchelor in the second quarter.

“He copped a whack to his shoulder, but Benny is a tough little nut and he came back on and played out the rest of the game,” Alessio said.

“He is a bit sore today but after the doctors and physio’s have checked him out we think he should be right and get up for this weekend’s important game.”

Alessio said Ryder was also expected to line up against the Swans after rolling his ankle.

“Paddy did roll it a bit but it was one of those ones where the strapping had come away,” he said.

“They re-strapped it, he got back out there and from an ankle perspective he will put it through its paces early in the week but we would expect Paddy to play.”

Live wire Alwyn Davey is expected to be available for selection this weekend after overcoming a hamstring strain.