Lively Bombers forward Jake Stringer is set to return for Essendon's clash with the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The former Bulldog will bounce back from a two-game lay-off due to a calf strain, while defenders Conor McKenna and Aaron Francis have also been named for the Round 19 opener.

But arguably Essendon's biggest threat is enigmatic forward Orazio Fantasia, whose blistering pace and huge ability as a goal-sneak create headaches for the opposition.

The South Australian bagged five majors in Essendon's 29-point win over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium last Saturday, with a crafty crumb and goal from congestion topping the lot.

Essendon coach John Worsfold says Fantasia is on the rise.

“No doubt he’s a better player this year and he’ll be a better player next year as well,” Worsfold told reporters on Tuesday.

“He’s more mature, he understands the game more, he’s stronger and he’s fitter, which comes when you’re young and growing. If you’re committed to building your body and your fitness you probably improve until you’re 26. Orazio is still a young player so he’s got room to keep growing." 

Imposing key forward Joe Daniher hasn’t laced up the boots since Round 7 due to a groin injury and will again watch from the stands on Friday.

One of Cale Hooker or Michael Hurley will go toe-to-toe with superstar Sydney forward Lance Franklin, whose record against the Bombers makes for happy reading for Swans fans.

The Western Australian has kicked more goals (68) against Essendon than he has against any other club, with his 15 games against the Bombers yielding an average of 4.5 majors per match.

But a tight-lipped Worsfold said Essendon’s attention wasn’t limited to Franklin.

“We’ll spend a bit of time planning for Sydney and Buddy’s part of the game plan and style of play,” Worsfold said.

“We’re Sydney-focused. We’re absolutely focused on understanding what Sydney’s going to bring, but the real answer is we’re Essendon-focused and aiming on continuing to build the style of footy that’s been pretty successful for us over the past couple of months.”

Essendon won just two of its opening eight games of the season but has since carved out a surging mid-season revival, winning seven of its past nine matches and knocking off powerhouse sides Geelong, GWS and West Coast on the way.

The Bombers were poor in front of goal against the Dockers at Etihad Stadium last Saturday in a return of 13.21, but they managed a significant advantage in forward-50 entries (62-36) to keep the opposition at bay.

The victory kept Essendon’s finals aspirations alive, with the Bombers placed 11^th on the ladder ahead of the clash with the Swans and sitting just one win outside the top eight.

But Sydney has the edge over Essendon in the history books, with the Swans having beaten the Bombers the past eight times the clubs have met. 

Sydney grabbed a crushing 65-point victory in an elimination final at the SCG last September and lays claim to an average winning margin of 34 points across the eight most recent match-ups.