Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin has urged his game-breaking midfield to step up as the Demons head into their AFL clash with Essendon battling a fully-fledged ruck crisis.

With Jake Spencer (shoulder) and Tim Smith (ribs) joining Max Gawn (hamstring) on the sidelines, the Demons have been forced into a makeshift ruck set-up for the Etihad Stadium match on Sunday.

Tall utility Cam Pedersen has come into the side and is set to shoulder the ruck load with the 196cm Jack Watts.

“It changes things and we’ve had to look at our team and find a way to come up with a structure from a talls perspective that we think will (help) the team and we’re excited about that,” Goodwin said.

The coach also wants the likes of Jordan Lewis, Nathan Jones, Clayton Oliver, Jack Viney and Bernie Vince to step up.

The midfield is a strength for the Demons, who are ranked second in the competition for disposals and fifth for contested possessions.

“We’re really confident in the guys at ground level so we will set up in a way that those guys can get to work,” Goodwin said.

“They play a really important part through this period, to play to a level and get it done and we’re confident in them doing that.”

Former Hawks champion Lewis returns from a three-match suspension and Goodwin said he would give the team much-needed composure after they faded in the final quarter to fall to Richmond in a thriller last round.

Essendon have rested ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who has been replaced by Tom Bellchambers.

Meanwhile, Goodwin said former co-captain Jack Trengove was getting closer to a return to the AFL.

“I’m really hopeful that Jack can play that way that we want him to play to get him into the team,” he said.

“There won’t be a happier person than me and the rest of the coaching group and the rest of his teammates when Jack gets to that point.

“He’s not that far away.”