Essendon veteran Dustin Fletcher will miss Friday night’s crunch AFL clash with Richmond due to groin and finger injuries.

Fletcher was absent from the Bombers’ training session on Thursday, with coach Mark Thompson confirming the 39-year-old wouldn’t tackle the Tigers at the MCG.

“He’s not playing, maybe that’s why he’s not here,” coach Mark Thompson joked.

“He can’t play, otherwise he would have been playing,” Thompson added, when asked if Fletcher was still part of his best 22.

“He’s sore… he’s got a got a finger and a sore groin.”

Thompson said Fletcher would “hopefully” be back next week.

Thompson also expected captain Jobe Watson and defender Michael Hibberd would likely return against West Coast on Saturday week.

Joe Daniher is in line to play against the Tigers, having undergone surgery on his fractured clavicle last month.

“We’ll do a fair test to make sure he is right, because we don’t want anyone playing who’s not going to contribute,” Thompson said.

“This is a funny week, because we have a few that have to get through training (on Thursday) before we can select the side.”