The trend of the West Coast Eagles having a couple of stars return, but merely replacing injured senior players continued today.

As the match committee sat down to select the squad for Monday night football against North Melbourne at Optus Stadium, they did so in the knowledge that champion wingman Andrew Gaff and exciting forward Liam Ryan would resume.

They also went into the meeting knowing that accomplished midfielder Jack Redden, one of the most consistent ball winners for the Eagles this season, would be out with a knee injury and that both Jamaine Jones (ankle) and Alex Witherden (groin) also could not be considered.

Redden was subbed out of the game against the Swans after receiving a knock to the knee while Jones was also unable to complete the match when his ankle became trapped beneath his body in a tackle.

Gaff was a late withdrawal against Sydney last Sunday and his running capacity and ability to link up play was sadly missed, while Ryan was unavailable because of suspension. They were both selected in the starting 18.

Also added to the squad of 26 are midfielder Xavier O’Neill, half-back Jackson Nelson, fellow defender Josh Rotham and utility player Brendon Ah Chee.

Included on that bench of eight players are young midfielder Luke Edwards, ruckman Nathan Vardy, forward Jack Petruccelle and defender Luke Foley. They all played against Sydney, Petruccelle starting as the medical sub and replacing Redden.

The club will lodge its starting line-up on Saturday afternoon.