A distinctive Geelong flavour looms likely as far as inclusions go for Essendon this week, with as many as three former Cats a chance to return and face their old side.

James Kelly, Matthew Stokes and Mitch Brown are all at best available and at worst facing fitness tests ahead of Sunday afternoon’s clash with the Cats at Etihad Stadium and will no doubt be doing all they can to ensure they take to the field.

Three-time premiership player Kelly is listed as available having been rested last week, whilst Essendon coach John Worsfold has says he’s yet to make a call on two-time flag winner Stokes.

“I understand he’s available, ready to play,” Worsfold said of Stokes on Wednesday morning.

“He’s been out for a while so whether we’re prepared to bring him straight in, we’ll see what he’s been doing and where he’s at.”

Swingman Mitch Brown has trained for the Bombers this week and is expected to play on Sunday after missing round 19 with a groin injury.

In terms of other changes, Worsfold has flagged the next month as an opportunity to rest some of his younger players.

The Bombers have blooded some terrific emerging talent such as Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford and of course Joe Daniher and all would be candidates at some point for a break.

“I think it’ll probably happen over the next three weeks, maybe four,” Worsfold said.

“The idea will be look at what’s coming up, what suits, which players are flagging the most and rest one or two each week.”

The first young player rested could well be Aaron Francis, who burst onto the scene in round 18 with an impressive debut against Brisbane. Taken at pick six in last year’s draft, Francis was quiet in his second game with just seven disposals and may make way for one of the aforementioned experienced trio.

Others who failed to step up in the 82-point loss to Adelaide were Courtenay Dempsey (10 disposals, five marks), Martin Gleeson (13 disposals, 1 mark), Patrick Ambrose (11 disposals, eight marks) and Sam Michael (Seven disposals).

With three potential changes, here is how the Bombers are expected to line up in round 20:

OUT: A.Francis, M.Gleeson, P.Ambrose
IN: J.Kelly, M.Stokes, M.Brown