Essendon midfielder Brent Stanton is set to line up against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday after scans cleared him of serious damage to his ankle.

Stanton left the field after receiving a knock to his ankle just before half time in Sunday’s match against Port Adelaide before returning to play out the match.

Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said the 27-year-old was expected to take his place in the side to take on the Bulldogs.

“Brent had scans on his ankle on Monday that cleared him of any serious damage which is great news,” Alessio said.

“We would expect him to train fully this week and be fit to line up against the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.”

The news is a boost for the Bombers after captain Jobe Watson was ruled out of action for at least the next month following surgery on a broken collarbone.