The wait is finally over for Elliot Yeo.

After nearly 10 months on the sidelines battling osteitis pubis the midfield bull will make his long-awaited return to football for the WAFL Eagles against East Perth on Saturday.

“He’ll play WAFL this week. He’s been on track for four or five weeks and we’ve been patient, so he needs some minutes so he’ll get some minutes this week at WAFL level,” coach Adam Simpson said.

Yeo’s last appearance came on August 9 last year against Carlton at Optus Stadium, when he gathered 21 touches in a 22-point triumph over the Blues.

There was no sign then of what was to come, and the lengthy lay-off has been incredibly frustrating for two-time John Worsfold medallist.

Yeo will be on restricted game time against the Royals but is ready for the step up in intensity after getting through match simulation work in recent weeks.

“This is part of the progression. We do eight-to-10 minutes of match sim at main training and that’s not enough for him anymore,” Simpson said.

“He needs to hit some more bodies so he’ll do that this week and see how he pulls up and we’ll go from there.

“It’s exciting that he’s not far away, but we’re not going to rush him back.”

Simpson was confident Yeo hadn’t lost any of his trademark explosiveness from battling the debilitating groin issue, but the 27-year-old will need to build his aerobic base before the step up to AFL level.

“Yep, (his power is) still there. Still can kick 60m, so he doesn’t look any different, just a bit deconditioned so we’re working through that,” Simpson said.

“The next phase is … contests, repeat speed, efforts, waking up sore the next day everywhere. It’s part of his pre-season really.

“It’s been almost 12 months since he played.

“He’s getting moody, Yeoy, so he’s been in a better mood the last five or six weeks but until he gets back in the seniors he’ll have a bit of edge about him.”

In more positive news, the Eagles are set to welcome back Shannon Hurn (calf) and Liam Ryan (shin) for Sunday's trip to face Greater Western Sydney at Giants Stadium.

Hurn will break the club games record, and will enjoy a more low-key moment to mark the occasion after a calf setback ruled him out of a return in the RAC Derby. 

"I think we've played three tribute videos, and his 300th is coming up too. He doesn't like any of it," the coach said.  

"If he gets through training this week then maybe a quiet beer after the game is about as much as he'll want to do."