Essendon could regain star centre half forward Scott Lucas and big man Paul Salmon for this Thursday's Anzac Day clash with Collingwood. Lucas has missed the past three matches with a hip injury but moved well at training last week. ""He's very close,"" Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said. ""The short week might mean we bring in fresh legs into the side but we could also err on the side of caution given we have a nine-day break after Collingwood.""

Lucas started the season in oustanding fashion against Geelong, dominating across centre half forward before being forced to leave the ground shortly after half time. His return will add greatly to a forward line which was in sparkling form against Adelaide last weekend.

Salmon will join in full-scale training this week in a bid to prove his fitness for this Thursday's Anzac Day match. ""Paul has missed a fair bit of football and we will have to weigh up if it is better for him to play a half in the VFL side in preparation for his return or put him straight back in,"" Drain said.

Sean Wellman is certain to miss again with a hamstring injury but is on track to resume against Fremantle at Subiaco in round six.