Brent Stanton set to re-sign with Essendon Bombers

ESSENDON midfielder Brent Stanton is on the verge of securing a multi-year deal to stay at Windy Hill.

THE short-term future of Brent Stanton may be up in the air, but the Essendon midfielder is on the verge of securing a multi-year deal to stay at Windy Hill.

Stanton is in doubt for Sunday's clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium after suffering a low-grade hamstring strain in Friday's loss to Hawthorn.

But it is believed the 26-year-old will put pen to paper soon, ending protracted talks between the club and his manager Adam Ramanauskas.

After Stanton's barnstorming start to the season, coach James Hird said in May that the man who wears his famous No.5 had a deal "in front of him".

Football manager Paul Hamilton last night refused to rule out Stanton, who repeatedly grabbed at his hamstring during the third term of the clash with the Hawks.

"He was able to play on and 100 per cent sprint," Hamilton said.

Sports medico Dr Peter Larkins said Stanton's predicament was eerily similar to that of teammate Stewart Crameri, who only seven days before suffered hamstring tightness during the second quarter of the club's loss to Geelong.

Crameri played on that night, but was a late withdrawal for the Hawks game and is no certainty to face the Crows.

"He didn't have a ripped hamstring, he had a low grade strain and they've had four or five where players have stayed on and that's exactly what Stanton's reminded me of," Larkins said.

Hamilton confirmed forward Michael Hurley would return from his hamstring injury this weekend and said Alwyn Davey would also be available despite being subbed out on Friday.