Essendon coach Mark Thompson is determined that the uncertainty of James Hird’s future at the club will have no effect on his team.

Hird and possibly his wife Tania will front the club board at a specially-convened meeting on Wednesday, two days before the round two blockbuster against fierce rivals Hawthorn.

A television interview last Thursday, where Tania Hird slammed the AFL over her husband’s 12-month suspension, has prompted the club to call the Wednesday meeting.

The Bombers want the Hird camp to make no more comment over the supplements scandal.

Tania Hird’s interview went to air on the eve of Essendon’s round one win over North Melbourne.

Thompson said on Monday night that the interview did not affect his players or staff at all.

“It’s nowhere near last year’s mess,” he said on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, referring to the ongoing supplements saga.

“Last week wasn’t a hard week, as far as distractions from the game – not for the players, not for the footy staff.

“We’re hardened, we’ve had some tough weeks.”

Thompson added that as far as he is concerned, he will make way for Hird later this year when the AFL suspension ends.

Hird has a contract with Essendon until the end of 2016 and if Essendon were to sack him, it would potentially involve a massive financial payout.

AFL commentator Tim Watson has joined fellow Essendon great Matthew Lloyd in predicting Hird will return to the club as planned.

But Watson also has admitted to some doubt.

“All things are going to be canvassed,” Watson said on Seven’s Talking Footy.