Essendon will be without midfielder Jonathan Simpkin when it faces North Melbourne.

The 28-year-old damaged his hamstring tendon in the Round 7 loss to Sydney, and will be facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

“We had Jonathan’s hamstring injury scanned, obviously he’s got a hamstring strain,” High Performance Manager Justin Crow told Essendon’s website.

“Unfortunately that hamstring strain involves the tendon as well as the muscle and for that reason Jonathan will be looking to return after the bye.”

Simpkin had been in good form after coming back into the Bombers’ side; having 25 disposals against Carlton in Round 6, and already eight disposals in the first quarter before going down at the SCG.