JOSH Kennedy is set to play against Port Adelaide on Sunday after recovering well from Thursday's training session, says Eagles coach Adam Simpson.
Kennedy had his injured right elbow tested at training on Thursday and he passed with flying colours.
The Eagles named him in their 25-man squad but said they would wait until Friday morning to see how he pulled up before confirming he would play.
Simpson strongly rebuked any suggestion that Kennedy was ever facing the prospect of season-ending surgery.
"It was reported that he may have needed an operation, but that was you guys (the media), not us," Simpson said.
"He had scans, we had second opinions, it was never a part of our concern at all after consulting specialists.
"So it was more how he feels, what he can tolerate.
"He trained fully yesterday, he recovered well today. He's flying with the team today and at this stage he is playing.
"There are a few people in the media who take it upon themselves to diagnose one of our players. I'm sure it's not the first time and it won't be the last."
Simpson said Kennedy had pulled up better and better each day this week. The Eagles will hold a light training session in Adelaide on Saturday and make a final decision after that.
"It is definitely an injury that we want to make sure he recovers well from and there is going to be risk in everyone to a certain extent who carries an injury from the previous week," Simpson said.
"We will see how goes at the captain's run in Adelaide but we are planning for him to play."
The Eagles are a chance to name an unchanged line-up for the first time this year.
Matt Rosa did not recovery from the back injury that kept him out of the win over Greater Western Sydney.
"He ruled himself out pretty early in the week," Simpson said.
"It wasn't worth the risk taking him to Adelaide, another flight. He'll definitely be right next week."
Simpson said he could not believe the injury toll across the competition this year.
"I'm not quite sure of the facts or the figures but I would have thought there has been more injuries this year than any other year, with the players that are missing weekly and the new injuries that are coming up," Simpson said.
"To have a week where you make minimal changes is a rarity for us. I'm pretty sure it's pretty much the same across the board. There's multiple changes weekly due to injuries."
Simpson also said he would not be walking back from Adelaide Oval to the team hotel on Sunday night after his former mentor Alastair Clarkson was involved in an altercation with a fan two weeks ago.
"I'll be on the bus on the way back," Simpson said.
"Where the hotel is, you're quite vulnerable there.
"You're right in the heart of Adelaide. There seems to be a lot of young people out and about the night before. You can hear it in your hotel room. I'm normally on the bus. I won't be walking back."
