Hawthorn hope Lance Franklin will return, while several Essendon players could also be back for Friday night's AFL blockbuster between the arch-rivals.
The Hawks are top and Essendon second ahead of the Etihad Stadium clash, rekindling memories of their ferocious clashes when they set the competition pace through much of the 1980s.
Franklin has missed the last two matches with a knee injury and captain Luke Hodge said the key forward ran over the weekend.
"'Franky' ... said he pulled up really good, so he'd be preparing to play - as I suppose he did last week," Hodge said.
"But I guess he has to tick a few boxes and hopefully get ready for Friday night."
The Bombers' midfield will be without captain Jobe Watson, who is recovering from a broken collarbone.
But David Zaharakis (back), Jason Winderlich (soreness) and Heath Hocking (calf) could return to bolster their depth of onballers.
Fellow onballer Ben Howlett and defender Tayte Pears were also left out of the win over Greater Western Sydney.
Essendon football manager Steven Alessio said Zaharakis would push hard for selection this week after suffering a minor back fracture.
"From all reports he's pulled up really well from the break and he's a real chance this week," Alessio told the AFL website.
"The injury didn't affect the way he can train and run."
Hawthorn received good news on Monday, with the match review panel clearing Cyril Rioli for his tackle on Western Bulldogs star Ryan Griffen.
Sam Mitchell will also return after missing the Bulldogs game through illness.
While the Hawks continue to impress, Essendon have won 13 games in a season for the first time since 2003.
It remains to be seen how Essendon's season pans out, amid speculation they could be stripped of their premiership points.
The Bombers are under investigation because of last year's controversial supplements program at the club.
But Alessio made it clear on Monday the club's outlook is that they will play in the finals.
"We want to continue to improve right throughout this season, right through to the last round and potentially deep into finals," Alessio said.
"We've got to make sure we don't drop off with the way we want to play, and what better team to test that against than Hawthorn."
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