Essendon coach Matthew Knights says he is disappointed over public comments made about two of his senior players by the AFL club's chairman Ray Horsburgh.

Horsburgh told the Herald-Sun that Jason Johnson and Damien Peverill had been told they would be given limited opportunities in the future as the Bombers introduced more youth to their midfield.

Knights said while he had given both players a similar message personally he would have preferred the situation to be handled better publicly and would be taking it up with Horsburgh.

"I'm disappointed the way it's played out, particularly for Jason and Pev," Knights said.

"They've been fantastic, superb players for this football club, I'm disappointed the way it's played out."

Knights said he would raise the issue with the Essendon board.

"Obviously the chairman of the football club has the opportunity to speak of behalf of the football club at times," Knights said.

"What I would do, at the next meeting I'll raise the scenario, do it through the right manner and the right channels.

"As I said I'm disappointed for Jason and Pev because the way it's played out isn't fair and hasn't been great for them."

Meanwhile, Knights said he was hopeful that Dustin Fletcher and Mark McVeigh would return from injury to play against Sydney on Sunday, but they would have to make it through Wednesday's main training session.

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