Several star Bombers have put their hand up for selection for Thursday’s JLT Community Series clash with Carlton, with a near-full squad taking part in training on Monday.

Only two Bombers were unable to hit the track, with Joe Daniher, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell among those staking their claim for a spot on the playing list this week after overcoming their respective injuries.

Club physical performance manager Justin Crow confirmed Daniher is set to return to the field after recovering from osteitis pubis, which had kept him out of the side since round seven last year.

“Joe’s had a good progression of match play here over the last month,” Crow said on the SKINS Injury Update on Monday.

“We’re really comfortable with how he’s progressing, he’s showing no signs of not doing well with his program that we’ve set out, so he’ll be available to play some of the game in JLT one.”

Joe Daniher will make his long-awaited return for the Bombers on Thursday. (Image: AFL Media)

Merrett (ankle) and Heppell (hamstring) will be welcome inclusions for the team after patiently ramping up their training in recent weeks and taking part in some of last Friday’s match simulation.

“Zach Merrett’s progressed as planned, he’s done very well since he’s come out of the (moon) boot.

“We saw him do some match play here last week and he’s going to participate in some of the match.

“(Dyson) has been on his individual program with his hamstring tendon issue. We’re really comfortable with where he’s at (and) he will also do part of the game.”

Promising midfielder Kobe Mutch will also be made available to run onto the field at Ikon Park after recovering well from an ankle injury sustained three weeks ago.

Reliable defender Matt Dea has not been as fortunate, forced to the sidelines due to an unfortunate knee injury suffered last week.

“Matt Dea sustained an MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury last week in the practice game here.

“It’s a grade-two MCL, which means two weeks in a brace. He’ll be progressing over a six-week period to be available to play.”

Draftee Irving Mosquito was the only other absentee from training on Monday due to school commitments.

Dangerous attacking duo Jake Stringer and Orazio Fantasia left the field early on Monday due to minor niggles and will be assessed later this week, but Crow said neither player has the club concerned.

“Jake, after all of the talk about how good of a pre-season he’s had, slipped over in the warm-up.

“It’s nothing serious, he felt some tightness in his groin and we decided not to train him after that.

“We’ll be conducting a fitness test on him later this week and if there’s any doubt, he won’t play as there’s little to be gained.

“Raz got a knock to his quad and he’s got a corky. We’ll fitness test him over the next couple of days and make a decision on whether or not he plays.” 

Important key-position player Cale Hooker is on track in his recovery from a hamstring issue and appears likely to play in part of the side’s second JLT match against Geelong on Thursday, March 7.

“Cale’s progressing well, he’s getting up to full speed at the moment – we wanted to leave that as late as possible,” Crow said.

“He’ll complete full training basically from hereon in with a view (of him) having a run around in JLT two.”

Young forward Josh Begley (ACL), rebounding defender Marty Gleeson (ankle) and utility Mason Redman (ankle) have been off the scene for extended periods, but Crow said each have displayed promising signs in the main training squad.

“Those three players, we’ve seen them in full football drills, (but) none of them are ready to be involved in match play as of yet.

“They’re all tracking at the moment, all going well, towards playing some football around AFL round one.

“We just want to have a really careful progression with each of those players given how the amount of time they’ve missed.”

The final team for Thursday’s competition opener will be announced on Wednesday.

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