ADAM Simpson says tall forward Jack Darling is "touch and go" for Thursday's clash with Sydney, and the West Coast coach has flagged several potential changes to the Eagles' side coming off a five-day break. 

Darling hurt an ankle after landing awkwardly from a marking contest in the opening minutes of Saturday's loss to Richmond and, despite playing out the game, failed to train at Monday's light session. 

Ruck recruit Nathan Vardy and tough defender Brad Sheppard also weren't sighted on the track, and Simpson told Channel Seven that West Coast needed every minute to prepare for the Swans.

"It will be touch and go (with Darling)," Simpson said. "We'll have to see how he pulls up.

"We're going into full-on recovery mode, so anyone who didn't train today we managed off the ground. 

"It's one of those weeks, we've just got to manage every minute." 

Simpson expected former Hawthorn veteran Sam Mitchell to recover in time to take on the Swans.

The 34-year-old made an appearance at Monday's session and completed some stretching and light skills work.

"I think the way he operates is if he's not right, he'll tell me. Otherwise he'll be right," Simpson said. 

"At the moment, unless I see otherwise, he'll be playing this week." 

The Eagles won't hold a main training session this week, and have tried to manage their group over the opening month of the season – with the likes of Eric Mackenzie, Will Schofield and Sam Butler all having a weekend without any football. 

Mackenzie, Schofield, Dom Sheed, Liam Duggan, Kurt Mutimer and category B rookie Francis Watson showed some positive signs for East Perth last Friday night and could be in the mix for the Swans clash.

"We've got some guys there who are playing pretty consistent, but we want them playing really well to come back in," Simpson told 6PR. 

"Off a five-day break we've got to look at our depth, so there'll be a couple of changes, no doubt."