Essendon medical staff have some tough decisions to make on Jason Laycock’s immediate playing future as the 24-year-old struggles to overcome an ongoing foot complaint which caused him to miss almost a full pre-season.

Laycock played one game for the season in the VFL a fortnight ago but has not returned since as a result of the discomfort in his foot.

To watch the Knights media conference on Bomber.tv click here.

Matthew Knights said he would sit down with the club’s medical staff this week before making any decisions on the ruckman’s immediate playing future.

“I have to sit down with Bruce Reid the club doctor this week and have a discussion about him again. We will see what we will do with Jason going forward because he is still experiencing foot soreness and is training and was playing with discomfort again,” Knights said.

“The reality is we could sit down and say 'listen let’s just persist' or it could be a scenario where we sit down and say 'that’s it for the year'. 

“That’s what we need to sit down and make a decision about. We need to be mindful that we need to make a proper decision for the player’s future.”

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Laycock’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Bombers. The list’s ruck stocks are already depleted with David Hille ruled out for the remainder of the season and Tom Bellchambers set to miss up to six weeks with a knee injury.

However Knights said he would not risk Laycock’s long-term playing future by rushing the 201cm giant back.

“It’s not ideal. He hasn’t been able to get a run at it which is most frustrating as he would have been perfect in this situation as we are a little bit thin on the ground with ruckman at the moment,” Knights said.

 “I don’t think it’s in anyone’s best interest to push a player that is not able to put weight on a foot because the modern game just won’t allow for it.

“We’ll sit down this week later this week and make a final decision on Jason Laycock’s future for the 2009 season. And I must admit, to be frank, it’s not looking bright.”