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After his failed trade request to Sydney last October, key Essendon forward Joe Daniher could miss the first half of the AFL season with injury.

Joe Daniher's wretched injury run continues with the disgruntled Essendon forward a chance to miss the first half of the AFL season.

After his failed trade request to Sydney last October, the 25-year-old has only just resumed running as he works his way back from groin problems.

Daniher said in November that frustration with injuries was the main reason for wanting a move north to the Swans.

He was an All-Australian and won the Bombers' best-and-fairest in 2017, but has played just 11 games since.

Essendon football manager Dan Richardson said it was possible Daniher wouldn't play until the second half of the season.

"It's been a couple of years (of injuries) so it's a hard one to gauge when he will be back into full training," Richardson told SEN.

"As long as he continues to be pain-free and continues to progress, he may progress pretty quickly, but we're not going to put any time on it.

"What we want to do is make sure that when he does come back his body is strong enough to support the rigours of the game.

"Joe is quite positive at the moment in the way it is progressing and so are we in our medical team."

Daniher has kicked 188 goals for the Bombers in 104 games since being picked up as a father-son selection in the 2012 draft.

He led Essendon's goal-kicking for four straight years from 2014-17.

Essendon and Sydney were unable to strike a deal for the contracted Daniher last trade period.

He was left out of Essendon's leadership group when the Bombers announced their five-man group on Tuesday.

Dual best-and-fairest winner Zach Merrett and Daniher were both axed from the leadership group, while small forward Orazio Fantasia turned down an opportunity to be part of the team despite being voted in.