West Coast’s understrength midfield means opportunities for emerging players and coach Adam Simpson is focused on who he does have for Saturday’s clash with Collingwood, rather than the big names missing.

With news that skipper Luke Shuey was unavailable and wingman Andrew Gaff (foot) wouldn’t get up – adding to the absences of Elliot Yeo (calf), Tim Kelly (hamstring) and Dom Sheed (pectoral) - the Eagles will be without the majority of their first-choice engine room at Marvel Stadium.

But that means chances for Connor West, Xavier O’Neill, Luke Edwards and Zac Langdon to grow in meaningful roles against the Pies.

“We’ve got some opportunity for young players,” Simpson said before the Eagles flew to Melbourne on Friday afternoon.

“Those guys are going to have a chance to get a really good look at some midfield time.

“As much as it’s not ideal … I think next week there will be a fair few players coming back along with Oscar Allen in the next couple of weeks and Jamie Cripps.

"At the moment we’re not quite settled.

“That’s just reality and we’ve got to be up for the fight.”

Shuey emerged from Health and Safety Protocols on Friday and was back running at Mineral Resources Park but couldn’t be considered.

However, he will be available next Friday against Sydney, when Samo Petrevski-Seton (calf) Gaff and Kelly could also return.

“(Shuey) got out this morning. He went for a bit of a run but speaking to him yesterday … he’s not right to travel and play a day after coming out of the restrictions, and then we’ve got a six-day break next week as well,” Simpson said.

“The risk was too high. He’s been medically ruled out. As much as I pushed a few buttons it didn’t get me too far.

“It’s not severe (for Gaff). He had an issue with his ankle over the off-season and then it got a bit sore in a different area a few weeks ago, and then he got stood on on the weekend.

“That ankle has just copped a lot and it just flared up in the last quarter on the weekend, so unfortunately we’re just going to have to give it a bit of a rest.”

Simpson insisted West Coast was going over to Melbourne to win, despite the availability challenges, and the returns of Willie Rioli, Liam Duggan and Tom Barrass from isolation is a boost.

Collingwood will be without Taylor Adams (Health and Safety Protocols) and Jordan De Goey (suspension), but still boasts a dangerous line-up that has been quick to adapt to new coach Craig McRae’s bold gameplan.

“They’re definitely playing a new system as we all have seen. If you had to compare it to anyone, I know it’s a bit unfair to say it’s exactly like this, it looks similar to a Richmond brand over the last few years,” Simpson said.

“It’s high octane, chaotic, pressure, front half type of football that embraces the contest. They’ve been really exciting to watch.

“It’s clicked pretty quickly for them. They’re missing a couple of players but I think they’ll just bring a similar player in and they’ll play the same role.

“It’s going to be a real challenge for us. Obviously the belief is high. The young kids are playing well, but the biggest thing we’ve noticed as a coaching group is their senior players are all fit and available and they’re playing their part.

“We need the same from our senior boys as well.”