Essendon are set to receive a boost to their defence with Michael Hibberd cleared to play after missing the past two weeks through injury.

Ankle soreness held the defender out of the past two matches but Essendon Doctor Bruce Reid said he was a likely starter against the Western Bulldogs come Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

“I would be very surprised if Hibbo doesn’t play this week,” Reid said.

“He trained well on Saturday and he will fully train this week so we would expect him to play.”

“He couldn’t really push up on Thursday so we decided to take the extra week with him.”

The 24-year-old had 20 touches, seven marks and eight rebound 50s in the round seven clash against the Bulldogs.

Despite receiving a knock to the head in the round 17 clash against Collingwood, Bombers Courtenay Dempsey is also expected to play his 100^th career game on Sunday.

“I went to tackle and he went to brace and stepped back and clipped my head,” Dempsey said.

“It was very painful at the time… but I’ll be fine for the weekend.”

The Bulldogs play Essendon in a twilight match on Sunday 20 July 2014 at Etihad Stadium, as part of the AFL’s annual Multicultural Round.