DUSTIN Fletcher has joined Paul Chapman in the 'doubtful' column ahead of Essendon's Sunday clash with Fremantle in Perth.

Bombers coach Mark Thompson has confirmed Fletcher pulled up sore from Sunday night's 81-point demolition of Carlton.

"I think Dustin's pulled up a bit sore too, so he may not play at this stage, but it's only very early in the week so we'll have to wait and see," Thompson said on Tuesday.

"We don't know about Fletch, he's a bit like Chappy - the older they get they've got the appetite to play, they never want to miss," he said.

Thompson said Chapman was "really sore" after injuring his ankle.  

"I think he hurt it twice during the game, early and at the end as well.

"You've just got to wait and see how he pulls up."

Thompson said the long flight to Perth wouldn't be a factor in the decision.

Ruckman Paddy Ryder is "a good chance" to return from his ankle injury, but the coach said the club's policy was not to take risks at this stage of the season.  

"It's round four, it's silly to take any risk. From our point of view we probably won't play guys who are sore, because they just can't play to their potential and then that just sort of lingers around for a few more weeks and affects that performance too in those games.  

"This week we go up against Sandilands, so maybe if Paddy does play it's not going to make much difference," Thompson joked.  

The stand-in coach also responded to commentary from former Geelong captain Tom Harley suggesting he was coaching the team better than the suspended James Hird, admitting it was a compliment.  

"I suppose it is, but really it's not about me or James," Thompson said.

"It's about the players; that's who we support, that's what we're hear for.

"The more talk about James and me, the more I don't like it, it's irrelevant really."