Exciting Essendon rookie Andrew Lovett has today been promoted to the Bombers’ senior list and is in the selection mix for tomorrow night’s clash with Carlton. Lovett replaces first-year player Andrew Lee who has gone onto the long-term injury list suffering from osteitis pubis. He will remain on the long-term injury list for at least the next eight weeks.

Lovett, who played his junior football with the Northern Knights before heading west to play with East Perth, has terrific speed and his skills have also impressed many during his senior appearances in the pre-season. He was a standout for the Bendigo Bombers last weekend against Sandringham playing wing / half forward, collecting 25 possessions and kicking two goals.

""It is disappointing for Andrew to be sidelined but it gives Andrew Lovett a chance and we think he has earned that,"" Essendon football operations manager Dominic Cato said. ""He has worked hard on the track and done everything right in the pre-season. He can produce the unexpected on match day, we are still unsure whether he will play this week but he is a chance.""

""Andrew is at a young age and it is an injury that can continue if it is not properly managed so the doctors and conditioning staff intend to treat the condition conservatively,"" Cato said. ""They believe it will take eight weeks to recover from the condition and complete the core stability training to prevent a relapse.""

And Tristan Cartledge looks poised to make his senior debut this weekend with Matthew Allan in doubt with knee soreness. The side will be officially announced later this afternoon but Cartledge looks almost certain to get his first run at senior level.