Brent Staker on brink of return for Brisbane Lions Brent Staker is set to make his return from a knee injury. BRENT Staker is poised to make his long awaited return for Brisbane against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Staker, 28, can convince coach Michael Voss and his match commitee with a solid session on the training track today.It would be a huge boost for a Lions outfit that has struggled to take marks inside the forward 50. Staker has played three weeks in the NEAFL after completing his rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction. Brisbane's delivery into attack has been a key reason behind their scoring woes this season and Staker's willingness to lead hard into space would provide an option for a midfield that has fallen into the trap of repeatedly bombing the ball to skipper Jonathan Brown regardless of his field position. But Staker's versatility means he could also help in defence if the Bombers load up their forward line. Essendon's decision to allow Patrick Ryder to cool his heels after his suspension backfired against the Cats last Friday night and coach James Hird is likley to recall him to take on Brisbane. Billy Longer's absence for Brisbane against West Coast on Saturday was also telling and Voss may bring him back for the clash against the second-placed Bombers. Ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has been in outstanding form for the Lions, but was worked into the ground by Eagles pair Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui at the Gabba on Saturday. Jordan Lisle also found the going tough having to rotate from key forward to the ruck.Staker has managed just five AFL games in two years and has not made a senior appearance since late 2011. Voss confirmed yesterday Staker was on the brink of a return and if it wasn't this week it would certainly be the following against Carlton. "Staker will be considered for this week, there is every likelihood he'll play," Voss said. Brown was limited to six touches by West Coast's Eric Mackenzie in last round's 26-point loss at the Gabba. Brown has been limited to 12 goals in seven games this season for the Lions. But Voss said Brown's impact could not be measured by statistics. "People look at the stats box ... (but) I thought some of the contests he was involved in during the weekend were huge and created goals," he said. When you have been a great player like Browny - and he has been a great - you come to expect a certain standard from him. But we have said we can't afford to be reliant on him. He has to be one of six or seven kicking goals. Voss said Brown wanted to take it "year by year" but believed it was too early to speculate about his skipper's future. "I don't think that really needs to go into," he said. I have had lots of chats about where he's at. I am quite comfortable with the contribution he makes. His leadership around the place is second to none. There's not too many greater. The Bombers are expected to be without Alwyn Davey, who has a slight hamstring strain. But runners Courtenay Dempsey (ankle) and Brent Stanton (groin), who were both absent against the Cats, are on track to return this weekend.