Champion forward Josh Kennedy will be given the chance to prove his fitness for Sunday’s clash with Adelaide after scans showed a small strain in his right calf.
Kennedy was put on ice late in last Sunday’s MCG win over Hawthorn after feeling increasing tightness in his calf.
“It’s a ‘corkie’ as well as a strain we found out – it’s only a small strain – on scan,” General Manager – Football Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“Speaking to the doctor he’ll be a test later in the week and still a possibility to play because he functioned really well with it for most of the game and then it tightened up towards the end of it.
“Fingers crossed we get through training and he’ll be a chance to play, but we won’t know until later in the week.”
The Eagles could regain some tall timber at the other end of the ground with key defensive pillars Tom Barrass (shoulder) and Jeremy McGovern (groin) listed as tests to face the Crows.
Barrass fell just short of flying east to take on the Hawks, while McGovern has missed the past two matches following an abductor issue.
“’Gov’ is going well. He’s in his third week of recovery from that strain and he’s doing more and more training, more and more loading, and looking more and more confident,” Vozzo said.
“So like Tommy he’ll be a good chance to play if he gets through the week’s training.
“(Barrass) was just a fraction off so we didn’t take that chance.
“He’s improved even more with the rest and he’s a reasonable chance to play but he’ll need to get through training this week and we’ll test it later in the week.”
Veteran defender Shannon Hurn (calf) and high-flying small forward Liam Ryan (shin) are set to miss the Crows clash with an eye to returning against Greater Western Sydney in round 10.
Ryan is pain-free but being held back following a bone stress injury.
“We’ll take a conservative approach based on the medical advice and give him one more week,” Vozzo said.
“He’s not in any pain at all and you see him running around at training and he looks really good.
“We’re very keen to get him back in the team as soon as possible but we’ll follow the doctor’s advice.”
Luckless midfielder Mark Hutchings (hamstring) fell just shy of returning in the WAFL at the weekend and will have an enforced week off from resuming due to the State Game against South Australia.
Meanwhile, Nathan Vardy (foot) will miss at least another week, while youngster Isiah Winder (knee) is facing two months on the sidelines post-surgery.
Skipper Luke Shuey took a small step forward from hamstring tendon surgery by walking laps on Tuesday.
Fellow two-time John Worsfold medallist Elliot Yeo is getting closer and closer to his return from osteitis pubis nine months on from his last game against Carlton in round 11 last year.
“Elliot is tracking well. More and more volume,” Vozzo said.
“Getting closer to the fitness levels that are required, and doing more change of direction, more one-on-one body work and his training loads are right up there with the higher level ones you see in the pre-season.
“Not too long. In the next few weeks, if all goes to plan, we’ll be able to start thinking about playing him.”
Injury list:
Tom Barrass Shoulder Test
Liam Duggan Knee 5-6 weeks
Shannon Hurn Calf 1 week
Mark Hutchings Hamstring Test
Josh Kennedy Calf Test
Jeremy McGovern Groin Test
Liam Ryan Shin 1 week
Luke Shuey Hamstring TBC
Isiah Winder Knee 8 weeks
Nathan Vardy Foot 1-2 weeks
Daniel Venables Concussion TBC
Elliot Yeo Groin TBC
