WEST Coast key defender Eric Mackenzie has earned his spot back according to coach Adam Simpson, but there will be a logjam for spots in the Eagles' defence when Will Schofield returns next week.

Mackenzie has been named for his first game since round 11 after spending a month in the WAFL to regain some form and confidence. 

He is one of four inclusions the Eagles have made for Saturday's clash with Melbourne at Domain Stadium. Mackenzie, Jonathan Giles, Jackson Nelson and Liam Duggan have come in for Schofield, Mitch Brown, Mark Hutchings and Patrick McGinnity. 

Schofield is the only player who has not been omitted. Simpson said the defender was sore coming off a six-day break. There were concerns with some concussion-like symptoms he suffered following a head knock last week but he was cleared of that. 

Simpson said that Schofield was being rested and Mackenzie had been included on form.  

"He's earned his spot," Simpson said. 

"Schofield is just a little bit sore. We probably saw it as an opportunity to give him a week off. Eric is performing really well. It's a six-day break. So it's just a balance." 

Mackenzie played the first 11 matches of the year after missing all of last season due to a knee reconstruction. 

The 2014 best and fairest missed the round 12 clash with Adelaide due to a virus but did not regain his spot and has been forced to play the last four games in the WAFL. Simpson said he did not need to change anything in his game and simply needed to build some confidence in his body. 

"I think we all know what Eric can provide as a defender, in particular when he has a specific match-up," Simpson said.

"I think it was just getting some confidence and form with his body as well as his mind. The (four) games he played were in very wet conditions and pretty tough at East Perth, but I thought he stood up and I'm hoping he has a bit more confidence in his body and in himself."

The form of youngster Tom Barrass has also contributed to Mackenzie's absence.

Simpson said Schofield was likely to come straight back in next week but he wasn't concerned about the squeeze for spots in the Eagles' defence. 

"It'll work itself out," Simpson said. 

"That's my job to work that out." 

Giles comes in to lend support to Scott Lycett in the ruck against in-form Melbourne ruckman Max Gawn.

Simpson had been pleased with Brown's efforts in the second ruck role over the last three weeks but he said it would be unfair to pit him against Gawn. 

"We haven't done away with Mitch Brown," the coach said. 

"Gawn is a big 208cm ruckman and I don't know how much influence ‘Browny’ is going to have. Browny is a 195cm. As much as we thought he competes and has a real go, it was probably slightly unfair to expect him to compete against someone like Max. We brought in Giles and we think he can do the job."

Nic Naitanui is edging closer to a return and it could be as soon as next week against Collingwood but Simpson said he would not rush the ruckman back if he wasn't ready. 

Young midfielder Dom Sheed was also in the frame to play this week but Duggan got the nod ahead of him. 

Simpson said Hutchings and McGinnity had been squeezed out on form.