Injury has once again forced John Worsfold to rejig Essendon’s forward line, but the coach is at least confident he will have Devon Smith and Orazio Fantasia available to take on Geelong.

Smith’s persistent knee issue flared during the Bombers’ gut-wrenching Anzac Day loss to Collingwood, a match that Fantasia missed through illness.

But confidence is growing that the star duo are set to feature against the Cats at the MCG on Sunday.

“They’re coming along well and we’re hopeful that they’ll both be available,” Worsfold told reporters.

“We’ll find out if they get through training, but that’s not necessarily the final decision either. We may be able to wait and see how they are later as well.

“(Smith) may be fit today and we’re all comfortable, so it’s a bit of an unknown with him because it’s a chronic knee … it’s not like one specific little thing that’s the issue.

“He’s a bit harder to read, but he could get through today and feel great. If not we’ll have to make a decision whether we want to name him or give him a little bit more time.”

Essendon’s hot and cold forward line hasn’t been helped by regular personnel changes this season, but at least centrepiece Joe Daniher is fit and firing after his return from a long-term injury in round five.

However, Worsfold must find an effective foil for Daniher following the fractured wrist suffered by Mitch Brown against the Magpies.

Brown joined fellow tall forwards James Stewart (groin) and Shaun McKernan (hamstring) on the sidelines.

After starting the season in defence, Aaron Francis has been switched to attack at VFL level and looms as a possible replacement for Brown.

“We’ve got a few options that we’re considering, Aaron’s certainly one of those,” Worsfold said.

“We can go with a second ruckman like we have in the past with Zac Clarke or Sam Draper, or another option is we can not bring in an extra taller player and go with a smaller set up.”