Essendon's Devon Smith will be managed and miss the Good Friday clash against North Melbourne.

The courageous midfielder has been one of the Bombers' most influential players since arriving from the GWS Giants at the end of 2017, and could be sorely missed.

“We’re managing a chronic knee problem that he arrived with,” Essendon coach John Worsfold told the club's website. 

“We just feel like this is an opportunity now, with where we’re at in the season and what we’ve got coming up, that will make sure that he’s up and going and playing his best footy throughout the whole year.”

Versatile 21-year-old Matt Guelfi comes into the Bombers' lineup for the blockbuster at Marvel Stadium.