Star ruck Nic Naitanui will be tested at main training before his availability is determined for Sunday’s trip to face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium.
Naitanui has missed the past two games with knee soreness - in the opposite knee to the one that troubled him earlier in the year – but trained on Tuesday in a promising sign.
“Nic has progressed well with his couple of games off and has been able to build some strength in the gym, and then gradually progress through his on-ground training,” Head of Health Mark Finucane told westcoasteagles.com.au.
“The main test for Nic is the football content of training later in the week, see how he goes with that and how he pulls up from that as a decision for the weekend.”
The powerhouse big man would be a welcome addition to the Eagles line-up, which could also be bolstered by the returns of Elliot Yeo and Jack Petruccelle from hamstring strains.
Yeo has been out of action since being subbed out of the loss to Richmond at the MCG in round 16, with Petruccelle missing since the following week’s defeat against Carlton.
“Elliot and Jack had a big hit-out on Saturday, so we’re just assessing how they pull up from that and they just need to progress through a week for availability on the weekend,” Finucane said.
Injury list:
Oscar Allen Foot Inactive
Campbell Chesser Ankle Inactive
Tom Cole Ankle Inactive
Luke Edwards Groin Inactive
Dom Sheed Shin Season
Tom Joyce Ankle Season
Jeremy McGovern Ribs Season
Nic Naitanui Knee Test
Jack Petruccelle Hamstring Test
Elliot Yeo Hamstring Test
