Richmond coach Terry Wallace is adamant he will guide the club into their crucial match against Essendon at the MCG on Saturday despite remaining in hospital on Thursday night with a chest infection.

Wallace left the hospital for a team meeting at the Tigers' Punt Rd headquarters on Thursday, before returning to be treated further overnight.

But, asked whether he would be in the coaches' box on Saturday he said: "Absolutely".

He said he attended Thursday's meeting to assure the team his illness had not disrupted tactical preparation to play the Bombers.

"I just wanted to make sure the boys knew that everything had been covered off as per normal," Wallace told the Seven Network.

"We've done all our analysis from the hospital bed."

Wallace said his health was improving, although his breathing was still hampered.

He was hospitalised on Wednesday after first feeling ill last weekend.

"It's getting better, certainly I'm a lot better than what I was 24 hours ago, I'm just really struggling for breath," he said.

Richmond's director of coaching Brian Royal will step into the hot seat should Wallace be unable to attend the match.

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