Zach Merrett is making steady progress from the ankle injury he suffered last month, with the Essendon midfielder stepping up his running program ahead of the JLT Community Series. 

Merrett went down with the ankle concern in January during a training session and was in a moonboot for nearly two weeks nursing the injury. 

However, the Bombers' vice-captain ran strongly on Monday at the club's training session at The Hangar.

The 23-year-old didn't participate in training with the main group, but showed encouraging signs with his individual running program. 

The prolific midfielder, who finished third in last year's best and fairest following his All Australian season in 2017, completed laps and lifted his intensity as the session went on.

The Bombers are being cautious with Merrett, but are optimistic he will be able to feature in their pre-season campaign, which begins on Thursday, February 28 against Carlton. 

They then play Geelong the following Thursday on March 7.

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