Essendon has made two changes to its squad for Sunday's Country Festival game against Geelong at the MCG.

Skipper Zach Merrett will return after serving a one-week suspension for rough conduct, with the 26-year-old to retake his ruck-rover position.

Fan favourite Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is in line to return for his first AFL match since round one after being named on the extended bench.

Defenders Nick Hind and Massimo D'Ambrosio have also been included, while key forward Harrison Jones is also in the mix to face the Cats.

The Bombers will be without key defender Jayden Laverde to miss after injuring his AC joint on Anzac Day, while veteran Dyson Heppell will miss round seven after being managed.

See the Bombers' selected squad below.

Essendon round seven squad

Ins: Merrett, McDonald-Tipungwuti, D'Ambrosio, Hind, Jones
Outs: Laverde (injured), Heppell (managed)