Coach Mark Neeld is convinced enigmatic Melbourne midfielder Colin Sylvia has earned his AFL recall, and will improve markedly on a frustrating start to the season.

Sylvia felt the axe after a below-par effort in the 101-point loss to Sydney two weeks ago.

The 26-year-old’s good performance in a match simulation exercise has convinced Neeld he should return for the winless Demons’ clash with second-placed Essendon at the MCG on Saturday night.

Sylvia’s recall may have an element of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic as the bottom-placed Demons take on an Essendon side in red-hot form.

But Neeld believes better times are ahead for a player who can be as anonymous as he can be brilliant.

Sylvia only returned to playing in round five after suffering back fractures in a pre-season match.

“He’s fit. Colin’s got AFL elite strength, elite speed and elite endurance and that’s why he is in the side,” Neeld said on Friday.

“(His start to the season’s) been frustrating for him personally.

“First-up he was pretty good as a sub. Then he had a couple of performances that he needs to improve on, but he is aware of that.”

Neeld has also defended the output of co-captain Jack Trengove.

The 20-year-old has been criticised for his on-field performances as he juggles playing duties with being the competition’s youngest skipper.

“Jack sits No.5 (in the club) for disposals, he sits second in the club for tackles, he leads our internal one-percenters count, and he is also second on our GPS rating so that stuff says he is working particularly hard,” Neeld said.

The Demons have included Brad Green and James Frawley to play the Bombers despite injury concerns.

Veteran forward Green was feared to have suffered lung damage in a heavy collision in the loss to Carlton last weekend, while key defender Frawley is managing a foot problem.

Essendon have lost experienced midfielder Mark McVeigh with a hip injury, but regain veteran defender Dustin Fletcher to add rebound and quality at the back.

Emerging Kyle Hardingham returns to the Bombers’ back six after being forced out of last weekend’s match against GWS with a leg injury in the warm-up.

Coach James Hird is confident Hardingham is ready to go against the Demons.

“He got a really bad knock on his calf against Richmond, and the blood in his calf from that knock has moved around causing pain in different areas,” Hird said.

“But now he’s as good as gold.”