The West Coast Eagles medical staff have signalled the green light for five senior players to return this week. Now it is a matter for them to press their case at main training.
The ball is then in the court of the match committee as they weigh up the pros and cons of the changes they need to make ahead of the clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.
Skipper Luke Shuey, forward Jack Darling, midfield star Tim Kelly, small forward Liam Ryan and defender Liam Duggan are all ready to resume, so the selection discussion could be lengthy.
In addition, defender Alex Witherden has served a one game suspension from the pre-season game against Fremantle and is clear to play.
Shuey has been meticulously managing a hamstring strain in the post-Christmas training phase, while Darling has recovered from a foot issue, Kelly and Ryan have emerged from AFL health and safety protocols and Duggan has completed a long rehabilitation from a knee injury that ended his 2021 campaign prematurely.
The match committee will ponder bringing all of those players into the team, despite their collective class.
In further good news on the injury front gun midfielder Elliot Yeo is making strong progress from a calf injury while emerging midfielder Luke Edwards is poised to resume.
Connor West will need another week as he recovers from a hamstring strain.
Hard-running forward Jamie Cripps and midfield draftee Greg Clark are running strongly in the rehabilitation group.
Injury list
Oscar Allen foot 4-5 weeks
Campbell Chesser ankle Inactive
Greg Clark shoulder 5-6 weeks
Tom Cole ankle Inactive
Jamie Cripps pectoral 4-5 weeks
Jack Darling foot available
Liam Duggan knee available
Luke Edwards groin available
Tom Joyce ankle 3-4 weeks
Dom Sheed ankle 8 weeks
Luke Shuey hamstring available
Connor West hamstring 1 week
Elliot Yeo calf 2-3 weeks
