James Hird is off crutches and feeling confident about a quick return to football. That's the word from the man himself who spoke exclusively to the Bomberland website this afternoon. Hird was walking freely around the club today without the aid of crutches. ""It has improved a fair bit already. I can still feel it a bit but the swelling has gone down significantly - it is much better than it was 24 hours ago,"" Hird said.

It is a huge boost for the Bombers who had initially thought Hird could be missing for a prolonged period of time. The hearts of Essendon supporters sank early in the last quarter of the match against Carlton when Hird landed awkwardly after a marking contest with Adrian Hickmott. He lay on the ground in agony grabbing at his right ankle and was immediately carried from the ground by trainers. Hird was clearly the best player on the ground at the time and his loss could well have cost the Bombers victory.

""I was in a bit of pain but my only thought was that I wasn't going to be able to play out the game,"" Hird said. Unfortunately Hird's initial thoughts were correct and he spent the remainder of the Carlton game on the bench with ice strapped to his ankle. Thankfully for Hird and all Essendon supporters, X-rays revealed he had not broken the ankle and he could now miss just two weeks.

""I've had a look at replays and I just landed on it awkwardly coming out of the marking contest,"" Hird said. ""It is obviously disappointing but it could have been worse. I'll work very hard to get it right and hopefully get a game or two in before the finals.""

The loss of Hird is a blow for the Bombers who have dropped consectuive games for the first time in more than two years. But the Essendon captain isn't overly concerned. ""There is no need to panic - sides are always going to lose games of football,"" Hird said. ""I have a lot of faith in this group of players and I'm sure we can recapture our old form.""