GREATER Western Sydney star Dylan Shiel could be a massive inclusion for this week's vital top-eight clash with West Coast after moving well at training on Wednesday.
Shiel missed last week's win over Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium with a groin injury, one that coach Leon Cameron said the midfielder had been struggling with for the past two to three weeks.
The 23-year-old is ranked second at the Giants for disposals and metres gained and third for clearances this season, but was hindered in his side's round 19 win over Richmond in Canberra.
Cameron said Shiel trained on Monday without issue, and provided he pulls up well from the team's main mid-week session at Spotless Stadium, the explosive runner will be included to take on the Eagles.
"At this time of the year we just can't afford to take anyone in that's not right," Cameron said.
"There's no doubt players are going to have knocks and bruises, and some will go in at 90 per cent because of wear and tear, but when you're talking about groins you've got to be really careful.
"It started to pose a bit of an issue, but we think we're on top of it.
"He's had a fantastic year with his body and he wants to play every game possible, because he hasn't had that luxury in the first four years of his career because of injuries.
"He's determined to play as much footy as he can, but we've got to make sure he doesn't get to round 23 and conk out."
A recall for the side's most damaging onballer would be a huge boost for GWS, who this week face the challenge of an Eagles midfield buoyed by the return of star ruckman Nic Naitanui from injury.
The 2012 All Australian missed six games after having surgery to fix a nagging issue on both of his achilles, but was solid without being dominant in West Coast's win over Fremantle in last Sunday's Western Derby.
Cameron said the match-up between Naitanui and Giants star Shane Mumford, along with their respective back-up ruckmen Scott Lycett and Rory Lobb, would be intriguing to watch this weekend.
"There's no doubt he's a super ruckman and a super player for their footy club, and you can clearly see when he comes back into the team, he has a massive impact," Cameron said of Naitanui.
"Those sort of players, like (Max) Gawn on the weekend, (Shane) Mumford at our footy club, and (Kurt) Tippett, you could name a number of players in the competition that have so much impact on their team.
"Mumford is going to have his strengths, Naitanui is going to have his strengths, and we're going to have our work cut out at centre bounces and around the ground stoppages.
"We feel as though we're in pretty good shape there but they are as well, so I reckon whoever wins that battle will go a long way towards winning the game of footy."
Cameron said Lobb's influence would be critical on Saturday, with the 206cm West Australian's athleticism and contested marking outstanding so far this season.
The 23-year-old is ranked second behind star Sun Tom Lynch for contested grabs this year, and has also kicked 21 goals playing as a deep forward for the Giants.
"He's been great for us this year, and we've played him in a number of positions," Cameron said of Lobb.
"He's obviously marked the ball as a key forward, he goes in the ruck, he goes behind the ball, and he plays on the ball.
"He knows Lycett and Naitanui is going to be a huge challenge, but Rory has got some enormous strengths to his game that no doubt they'll be looking to combat as well.
"For a third-year player, continuing to evolve his game in all aspects is great for us."
