James Hird’s long-time mentor Kevin Sheedy has urged against jumping at shadows over his former star player’s role in the Essendon supplements saga.

Sheedy, who coached Hird during his stellar AFL playing career, has defended him over allegations he was injected with a WADA-blacklisted substance while coaching the Bombers last year.

Former Bombers sports scientist Stephen Dank has also accused Hird of having intimate knowledge of Essendon’s supplement program, which is under Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation.

News Limited reported on Friday Hird will admit to receiving two injections from Dank – both for health reasons – believing they were legal amino acids.

Dank says Hird injected hexarelin – a growth-hormone releasing substance which is banned for players, but not coaches.

GWS Giants coach Sheedy urged caution on Dank’s allegations, saying the sports scientist was able to have his say on the matter while Hird was limited because of the ASADA probe.

“We’re jumping at shadows a little bit on this,” Sheedy told ABC radio on Friday.

“Lots of people, whether they’re coaches or not, have some concerns for their health that they have to take injections.”

Fellow playing great and the man who tied with Hird for the 1996 Brownlow Medal, Brisbane coach Michael Voss, said he felt great sympathy and empathy for him.

“He is a great of the game and, for that reason, I think he deserves to be afforded the chance to state his case,” Voss said in Brisbane on Friday.

“While I know everyone wants to know the answers, and I can appreciate that, there is a due process in place and, as a great, I reckon he deserves that chance.”

Voss labelled Hird “a guy of complete honesty and integrity” within the AFL.