STAR West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui is set to step back into the main group next week after surgery on his reconstructed knee at the end of the season.

Naitanui, 27, has not played since round 22, 2016 when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against Hawthorn.

He was a chance to return had the Eagles progressed beyond the semi-finals this year.

After West Coast was knocked out by Greater Western Sydney, Naitanui had another operation on his knee and football manager Craig Vozzo said the high flyer should be in full training in January. 

Medical room: Who's having a slow start to pre-season?

"He had a very minor procedure some time ago now but he's done a whole lot of things since, including some Thai boxing training that seems to be going well," Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.

"We've been holding him back but he's going to start doing some more footy drills with the main group, probably from next week, as we graduate his program. We expect that to be on a continuing gradient over the next month."

Wingman Andrew Gaff carried an ankle injury through the season and it forced him to miss the club's time trial last Monday.

"He'd been carrying, quite bravely, a longer-term problem with that and was getting through games. There was no surgery required but it was a real case of rest being the best form of modification to his program," Vozzo said.

"He didn't do the normal volume of work that he would normally do in an off-season, which has meant that he's graduated his build and we just didn't think it was worthwhile (him) running the 2km time trial earlier in the week with the boys.

"He'll no doubt do that when the main group reconvene after Christmas. He's tracking well – you'll see him on the track next week."

Similarly, Elliot Yeo was hampered in 2017 by a hip issue that also forced him out of the time trial.

"We expect to see him with the main group over the next few weeks," Vozzo said.

Key defender Tom Barrass (groin) is on a similar timeline to Naitanui, while Eric Mackenzie (toe surgery) will take longer to recover, with the club to reassess where the backman is with his rehab at the end of January.

"It will be a slower build for Eric with his big toe surgery that has occurred. He's had a bit of stiffness post that surgery and is gradually getting better. He started to walk and jog earlier this week," Vozzo said. 

West Coast will be conservative with Oscar Allen, who brought a leg injury into the club after being drafted at No.21.

The Eagles were aware of the issue with Allen's tibia when they selected him.

"He won't be on the track for a few weeks yet with the main group and he'll stay very much with the rehab group for the next few weeks at least," Vozzo said.