West Coast coach Adam Simpson is embracing the challenge of taking on Carlton without a host of star Eagles, amid the possibility of more youth coming into the side.

Last year’s draftees Luke Edwards and Zane Trew, plus Xavier O’Neill (nine games) and Brayden Ainsworth (14), are all chances for a spot in the engine room after gun midfielder Tim Kelly went down with a knee injury in the loss to Essendon.

Developing tall Harry Edwards is also in the frame to replace Oscar Allen (concussion), the young forward who was swung back last week to help cover for four-time All Australian Jeremy McGovern (knee).

Simpson hinted there could be four or five changes ahead of the SCG clash as West Coast counts the cost of a brutal injury toll, also including Luke Shuey (hamstring), Liam Duggan (knee) and Alex Witherden (groin).

“There’s a few more. I’m assuming there’s injuries across the competition but we seem to have copped the pretty important players,” Simpson said.

“It’s hard to play your best with six, seven or eight of your top 10 missing, but at the same time we’ve had some great wins with perhaps not our ‘best’ side.

“Guys playing their role, youth, excitement, so I’m still positive.”

Edwards and Trew have both been in good WAFL Eagles form and impressed immediately after joining the club with their match simulation work.

They could join an onball brigade which must stop Blues stars Patrick Cripps and Sam Walsh in order to stay ahead of the win-loss ledger, which currently stands at 6-5.

“It’s (every game) always opportunity to grow. We want to win every week and we know we’ve got some work to do and we know we’re a bit down on personnel, so we’ve got to have a bit of reality around that,” Simpson said.

“But opportunity is great for youth come through. I think our members and fans love it when we debut players.

“If they’re ready to go we’ll play them.”

Simpson flagged the likelihood dual club champion Elliot Yeo will spend more time in midfield this round after pulling up well from his first AFL game in nearly 10 months.

“We managed him pretty well but we can elevate his, not time on ground, but more time on ball I would’ve thought,” the coach said.

“We’re still confident we’ve got the cattle but it will just look a bit different.”

The Eagles also welcomed two newcomers to the training track on Thursday, with Mid-Season Rookie draftees Will Collins and Connor West coming into the fold.

“Will, who the boys already call Phil, Collins trained with us in pre-season, so we know a lot about him,” Simpson said.

“He’s actually 191cm, he’s pretty tall, quick and a competitor. We liked what we saw pre-season, so we followed that through.

“Connor’s dad (Robbie) played for West Coast. I think he played 13 games in number 37. He’s what we’re looking for at the moment, just a consistent, solid, tough inside mid.

“I don’t think they will jump straight in the seniors those boys, but they’ll add to our depth.

“I met them just today. It just reminds everyone what it’s like when you first get drafted and connected to a team.

“It’s exciting.”