The return of highly decorated duo Paul Chapman and Dustin Fletcher is good news for Essendon, but having Paddy Ryder back on the team sheet is causing more excitement.

Midfielder David Zaharakis says the Bombers are relieved they can starting being more proactive around the stoppages, after conceding 45 hitouts to Fremantle’s Aaron Sandilands last Sunday in Perth.

Essendon regain Chapman and Fletcher, who boast five premierships and four All-Australian jumpers between them, plus Ryder (ankle) and David Myers (ill) for Saturday night’s AFL round-five clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Last week’s 53-point loss in hot conditions has left the Bombers with a six-day turnaround, the same as the Saints who were belted by 86 points at Etihad Stadium by Adelaide.

Essendon have also had to cope with a flu bug which has swept through the club, even affecting coach Mark Thompson who skipped Tuesday’s training session.

Zaharakis says the Bombers feel refreshed and their mid-week session was the best they’d trained for several weeks.

“I came down with a flu and a cold. There was a few of us who copped the flu and cold which was a nasty thing,” Zaharakis told reporters on Friday.

“Thirty-three degrees even for Perth is hot.

“The boys recovered pretty well. The boys are over all their sickness.

“The midfielders are happy Paddy Ryder’s back in the side.

“We can start winning the hitouts which is great.

“He’s a big asset for us.

“You can dictate more to the opposition rather than last week we were trying to read off Sandilands.

“It enables the midfield to be proactive around stoppages and win some of our own ball.”

While 151-game veteran Ryder returns after missing two matches, club champion Brendon Goddard is sidelined due to a groin strain.

The Saints have recalled Tom Hickey, Adam Schneider, Josh Bruce, Seb Ross and Jack Billings while onballer David Armitage is out with a knee complaint.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson says effort and defensive pressure were lacking against Adelaide.

“We were really disappointed with last week and we look forward to the opportunity to do something about it against the Bombers,” he said.

Essendon’s percentage of 119.7 compared to the Saints’ 75.7 shows a gap between the sides, but Zaharakis isn’t buying any of that.

“They’re two and two. We’re two and two,” Zaharakis said.

“They’ve played some good footy. They have a crack.”