Essendon star forward Scott Lucas wants to sign a contract with the Bombers that will see out his AFL career and remains hopeful he can play in another premiership before he goes.

The 30-year-old will play his 250th AFL game against Hawthorn on Saturday night, just his third of the year, after returning last weekend from a knee injury sustained in round one.

But he has given scant regard to the milestone, with his focus on regaining form after his long absence and helping the team recover from their current struggles.

The 2000 premiership player said he had never been more motivated, partly because the Bombers were faring so badly, with seven straight losses.

"As you get older there's the motivation to prove you can still do what you did in your mid-20s ... there's also the motivation to see the club return to where you think it should be," Lucas said.

"I think it's easy when you're winning, it just becomes routine and habit and you don't think too much about it, you just roll along.

"Now everything's really up, the motivation and looking over everything to make sure everyone's doing everything right, because of the need to."

Lucas, whose form was as impressive as at any stage of his career before the knee injury, is keen to sign a new long-term deal.

"I'd certainly like to organise something that sees it beyond doubt that I'll be here to the end," he said.

If Lucas can stay long enough, he believes the youngsters around him could help him go out with another premiership.

"If my time's four years I think we're in with a big show," he said.

"If my time's a year or two we're pushing it, because these guys need games and they need the experience of competing and learning week in, week out, and that takes time.

"Going forward, things look good for the club ... what's a great unknown (is) you're just not sure how good some of your young players are going to be."

While coach Matthew Knights did not want to publicly discuss what length of deal Essendon would offer Lucas, he was determined he would remain a one-club player.

"I wouldn't dare consider trading Scott Lucas because I think the fabric of the club is important," Knights said.

The coach labelled Lucas a "true champion", but said he had spent much of his career "under the radar" because of the spotlight on club greats James Hird and Matthew Lloyd.

Meanwhile, Knights said Jobe Watson (knee) and Jay Neagle (foot) would miss the Hawthorn game with injury.

Young key forward Scott Gumbleton will return through VFL side Bendigo on Monday, after recovering from chronic hamstring problems which have kept him sidelined so far this season.

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