Out-of-contract Essendon pair Shaun McKernan and Jacob Townsend face uncertain futures, according the Herald Sun.

Decisions on the duo havenโ€™t been decided as the Bombers are still waiting on decisions from key forward Joe Daniher and speedy defender Adam Saad about their respective futures.

It is unlikely that McKernan will earn himself a new contract beyond this year. At 30, the Bombers are possibly looking at other options at the key forward spot, especially if Daniher does depart.

McKernan has been serviceable in his stint at Tullamarine, kicking 51 goals in 53 games across six seasons in the red and black.

The Bombers have been linked to Gold Coastโ€™s Peter Wright, who has fallen out of favour, as the Suns make good progress with Ben King and Sam Day as key forwards.

Townsend, 27, arrived to Essendon at the end of last season on a one-year deal after being starved of opportunities at Richmond over the past couple of seasons.

He has shown plenty of fight, determination, and attack towards the football as a forward, kicking 12 goals in nine games for the Bombers this year.

But much like McKernan, Townsend, who featured in Richmondโ€™s premiership team in 2017, could find himself out of favour for younger players, should the Bombers look to invest more game time in the kids.