Essendon will take a cautious approach with defender Courtenay Dempsey after he suffered hamstring tightness in Sunday afternoon’s loss to Collingwood.

Dempsey was subbed out of the game during the first quarter after pulling up sore while reaching for a ball.

The 25-year-old missed three matches earlier this season after suffering a heavy knock against the Sydney Swans in Round 10.

Football Operations Manager Steve Alessio said Dempsey would have scans to determine the full extent of the injury.

“Courtenay came off with what looked to be a pretty severe hamstring but on investigation it may be just a fair bit of tightness through the hamstring and glut area,” Alessio said.

“We will take a conservative approach with him anyway as he has had some history with his hamstrings but we are hoping for the best.”

“The best might mean he comes through it pretty well and maybe earlier rather than later for a return to football for him.”

Jason Winderlich may be in line for a return to the senior team for Sunday’s Round 20 match against West Coast after showing positive progress on the training track.

“Jason is coming through his training regime for the next couple of weeks and is nearing the end of that,” Alessio said.

“We would hope depending upon how he trains this week that he would either put his hand up this week or the week after.”

Also in line for a return to the senior team is Stewart Crameri who managed to get through the VFL match against Sandringham despite struggling for consistency with his football over the last month.

Michael Hurley missed Sunday's loss to Collingwood and is expected to once again sit out this weekend's clash  is likely to miss one more week with an ankle complaint.

“He is coming along well but we will take a cautious approach with him.”

“It is at that time of the year that we want to make sure we are not risking guys so depending upon how he goes this week he could possibly put his hand up for this week.”

“If not this week than he would almost be a definite for the week after.”