Essendon will be without three key players, but should regain Brent Stanton for Friday night's AFL NAB Cup semi-final against Collingwood.

Coach Matthew Knights said on Tuesday that they would rest veteran full-back Dustin Fletcher and speedy midfielder Andrew Lovett from the Etihad Stadium match.

Star onballer Mark McVeigh is already out, having hurt his ankle last Friday night in the two-point win over Brisbane at the same venue.

The Bombers are keen to regain Stanton, who has been out of action with a quad muscle injury, but they want to see how he recovers from training.

Bachar Houli and David Zaharakis could also come into the side after solid hitouts in the VFL.

"Stanton will come into the team if he gets through today's session, definitely," said Knights.

"But he has to clear some final hurdles with some kicking today with his quad.

"Michael Hurley and Tayte Pears are basically ready to play some game time this week - it's just whether they've done enough to come into a senior game.

"I guess with the substitute and the 26-man squad it gives you a lot more flexibility so it does bring them into the equation.".

Lovett has shown eye-catching form in the opening two NAB Cup matches, but Knights pointed out he had also previously played for the Indigenous All-Stars in Darwin against Adelaide.

The Bombers' priority remains round one of the home-and-away season, with Knights saying about one third of the lineup was not settled.

"There is probably a percentage of your group that is playing for a spot in round one," he said.

"You probably have in a team environment 14 to 15 guys that are pretty much locked into their roles and barring injury, will represent the team for the first round.

"But there's probably six, eight or 10 players vying for those last spots, and that's pretty exciting."

Meanwhile, Knights supports Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, who wants the interchange expanded during the regular season to include at least one substitute.

The league has introduced two substitutes during the NAB Cup.

"I do like it - I would like to keep the interchange the same with four and I would go with one substitute," he said.

"Then there would have to be real clarity on injury, if that substitute was to be used."

Knights also pledged Essendon would play "exciting" football and not focus on the zone-based, defensive play that has dominated the pre-season so far.

"We're one of the sides in the competition that will play a fairly up-tempo brand of footy against any defence," he said.

"That's where our list is at and that's what it's suited to."

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