A former Essendon player is preparing to take legal action against the football club and the AFL.

It is understood the legal action is connected to the Bombers’ 2012 supplements program, which led to 34 past and present players facing doping charges.

The player has requested his name be suppressed during the Supreme Court trial in Melbourne.

• Hird admits: it’s nerve wracking waiting for D-Day 
• Sheedy makes his long-awaited return

However an initial hearing in the Victorian Supreme Court on Wednesday will consider whether the player’s identity should be prevented from being published.

The legal action is separate from the AFL tribunal’s consideration of possible suspensions for 34 current and former Essendon players, relating to the club’s 2012 supplement program.

The AFL anti-doping tribunal is due to hand down its decision on the supplements program next Tuesday, just four days before the club’s first game of the season.

Player agent Peter Jess has previously said a significant number of players would be prepared to take legal action if they were found guilty of doping.

– with AAP/ABC