ESSENDON could be limited to 25 fit players for Saturday's clash with arch-rival Collingwood at the MCG.

There are 18 grounded Bombers on the club's injured list, after Andrew Welsh (concussion), Angus Monfries (ankle) and Jay Neagle (ankle) were hurt in the four-point loss to Richmond on Saturday. Speedy midfielder Andrew Lovett still has one game to serve of a club-imposed suspension.

Welsh is a chance to play the Magpies and full-back Dustin Fletcher could resume after an ankle injury, but if those two are sidelined again, that will leave the Dons with only 23 senior players.

Essendon can boost that to 25 if they promote rookies Danny Chartres and Dean Dick this week.

Essendon announced yesterday that long-term fitness guru John Quinn was leaving the club to "pursue other career opportunities".

Quinn joined the club at the start of the 1999 season and would stay with the Bombers until the end of the season, said Essendon chief operating officer Travis Auld.

The Magpies could be strengthened by the return of Josh Fraser and Leon Davis for the Essendon game.

Davis was a late withdrawal from Friday night's loss to North Melbourne because of ankle soreness, while Fraser is still trying to prove his fitness after straining a posterior cruciate ligament during the Hall of Fame match in May.

Meanwhile, Richmond star Matthew Richardson hopes to return for the game against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night after overcoming a hamstring injury.

Geelong star Gary Ablett will have a fitness test before Friday night's clash against Hawthorn, but the Cats still expect the Brownlow Medal favourite to miss another week with an ankle injury.

The Cats are also unwilling to risk All-Australian Cameron Ling, who received a major fracture in his cheekbone against the Dockers. David Wojcinski, a late withdrawal on Saturday because of an Achilles tendon injury, is likely to return.

Port Adelaide centre half-back Chad Cornes will have arthroscopic surgery on a shoulder and a knee this week and will not play in the Power's remaining six games.

Carlton's Andrew Walker has had precautionary scans on his left shoulder after injuring what has been his "good" shoulder in the match against Sydney.

The scans showed he had strained a muscle and the Blues are "hopeful" he will be available for the weekend clash against the Bulldogs. With AAP