Coach Matthew Knights expects to keep changes to the Essendon side to take on Richmond at the MCG on Sunday to a minimum.

Forward Angus Monfries appears a certain starter after missing the past two weeks with a strained hamstring, but there would appear little room to accommodate up to half a dozen others pushing up through the VFL.

"Angus at this stage would seem right to go," said Knights at Windy Hill on Tuesday morning. "I would have thought he's nearly over the line and it will be great to have him back in the team because he's a really solid player."

"We're really pleased with (Nathan) Lovett-Murray, (Hayden) Skipworth, (Bachar) Houli, (Jay) Neagle - all in the VFL - (Leroy) Jetta who's been playing as a small defender in the VFL, and Tom Bellchambers."

"Potentially there might be one or two changes there but because we've got a Sunday game we've got a bit of time up out sleeve."

There's a cloud over midfielder Jobe Watson who was hobbled by a nasty corkie sustained during last Friday night's heavy loss to the Western Bulldogs.

The 24-year-old also aggravated the ankle ligament strain that forced him to miss the club's Round 14 clash with Collingwood.

Knights defended the form of club veteran Mark McVeigh who has been uncharacteristically subdued in a defensive role since his return to the senior line-up following a club-imposed suspension for missing a compulsory training session.

"We're expecting Mark probably over the next few weeks to come back into our midfield now that he's had a couple of games back again," said Knights.

"I think he's a really important player for us to get going in the midfield."

Knights said he expects Richmond midfielders Ben Cousins and Trent Cotchin, both late withdrawals from thrilling draw with North Melbourne at the MCG last Sunday, to return to the Tigers line-up with Nathan Foley an outside chance to prove that he's fully recovered from a calf strain.