Key Essendon midfielder, Brent Stanton, will miss Round 1 of the NAB Cup next Friday night in Darwin after feeling minor tightening of his quad muscle during training.
 
Football operations manager, Paul Hamilton, said the 22-year-old is still able to run and the injury isn't very severe but the club will take every precaution.
 
""We will be conservative with Brent's training for the next few weeks,"" he said.
 
""We know he has a very strong fitness base from the past few months so that isn't a concern.
 
""We'd expect by Round 2 of NAB Cup - which is more than three weeks way - he should be likely to play.""