Essendon great Tim Watson has cast doubt over whether Irishman Conor McKenna will return to Tullamarine this year.
The 23-year-old dashing defender was granted leave by the club earlier this month to return to Ireland as he battles homesickness.
McKenna, who is out of contract at the end of 2021, admitted in December to “(suffering) a bit of homesickness” in Irish media.
Watson said that with the Marsh Community Series about to start and round one rapidly approaching, there was “real concern” over whether McKenna would return to Essendon at all in 2020.
“This is a real concern now,” he said on SEN Breakfast.
“Round one is probably still a month away. I’m just forecasting this now and if you are not back for round one quickly and swiftly. You haven’t gone down the road, you are on the other side of the world.
“Now he’s back with family and friends, there’s got to be doubt of him coming back to Essendon this year.
“I would’ve thought when you’re a little bit homesick, you (go home) see your mates. It seems a lot more serious than this.”
McKenna played all but one game for Essendon last year after he we allowed to return to Ireland during the season to attend a family wedding, which saw him miss the Bombers’ clash with Gold Coast in Round 19.
You can listen to Tim Watson's comments on SEN Breakfast in the player below.
