Essendon has decided to put Jason Laycock's pending knee surgery on hold and will wait until after the bye to make a decision on his immediate playing future. Laycock was expected to have an arthroscope this week to repair some cartilage damage in his right knee.

It is good news as the Bombers prepare to take on Melbourne in next Sunday's game against Melbourne at The Dome. The game is the 'Clash for Cancer' with donations being taken around the ground to raise money for the Cancer Council - Essendon's preferred charity.

Laycock's presence in the ruck will be important as he was clearly among Essendon's best against Geelong last weekend. But despite the surgery being postponed, Laycock will eventually have to have an operation to repair the damaged knee.

It has been an unlucky eight months for Laycock whose pre-season was severely cut into with arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and his shoulder.