Worsfold: Bombers will cover Stringer

ESSENDON coach John Worsfold is confident the Bombers can produce enough firepower without their leading goalscorer, but he has not ruled out moving the chess pieces to cover the loss of Jake Stringer.

Star forward Stringer is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after surgery on the syndesmosis injury he suffered against Collingwood last week.

The injury leaves the Bombers without their leading goalkicker of the past two seasons in a forward line still without key forward Joe Daniher.

Stringer had kicked 10 goals this season to be sitting equal second in the league goalkicking before his injury.

But Worsfold is backing the Bombers, who will face North Melbourne at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, to be able to cover Stringer’s absence.

He confirmed forward James Stewart was not available for selection as he continued to build up his fitness after time in quarantine.

But Worsfold flagged the potential to swing defenders Cale Hooker or Aaron Francis into attack.

“We will consider those things,” he said.

“We have had some preliminary discussions around that.

“We’ve talked through all the different options that we’ve got and Francis is not an option.

“Absolutely we believe that we are going to field a team that is good enough to win games.”

Worsfold said Daniher was enjoying his training and continuing to progress well with it, but he could not provide a clear picture on when he was likely to return.

The Bombers are based in a hub on the Gold Coast after joining the Victorian teams’ escape from the state before the border closure.

Worsfold said the squad had settled in well, but he had not broached the prospect of the team having to spend the rest of the season on the road if needed.