Essendon captain James Hird joined in skills training tonight - just 17 days after undergoing major surgery to repair multiple fractures to his face. It was a sight that warmed the hearts of the small group of Essendon faithful who attended training and put to an end any speculation about his playing future. Hird trained for about 25 minutes, moving freely and looking comfortable. He then did some light running before heading indoors.

Hird was initally only going to do some running but actually requested that he be allowed to join in the skills session. ""Obviously he won't be doing any contesting work for a while but the fact he felt confident enough to join in skills is a real step forward,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

""It is obviously a real boost for the whole club to have him back out on the track but we aren't under any illusions about how long it will be before he plays again. We still think it will be another five weeks,"" Drain said.

Hird had seven plates inserted around his eye after an accidental clash with Mark McVeigh during the Bombers' Round 6 clash with Fremantle. Hird underwent three hours of surgery to repair the damage.