ESSENDON forward Mark Williams is set to miss a second consecutive week with a heel injury.

Williams, who has played just four senior games since crossing from Hawthorn at the end of last year, was rested last week after playing with discomfort for VFL side Bendigo Bombers.

Essendon football operations manager Paul Hamilton would not say how long Williams would miss but said the Bombers were being deliberately cautious with the management of the injury.

"It's one of those ones (injuries) that have been nagging him for a little while and it has probably gotten worse so we gave him the weekend off last weekend," Hamilton told Essendon’s website.
 
"He hasn't done much training this week so he is in some doubt and we have sent him off to have some MRIs and will know more in the next few days."

Hamilton said David Hille and Angus Monfries were on track to return from hamstring injuries for the first game after the mid-season break against Adelaide.

"Both have grade 1 (strains) so whilst they are serious to one extent, we expect them both to be back after the break. They won't play this week and then there is the bye and then the week after we would hope, if all progresses well, they will both be available," he said.
 
Heath Hocking is set to take the field for this week’s clash with Hawthorn despite some minor facial injuries last week, while Cale Hooker is likely to return from a hamstring strain to take on Hawks star Lance Franklin.
 
"He has had a great year and has a reasonable record against Lance Franklin and we are really glad to have him back in the side," Hamilton said.