WEST Coast premiership defender Tom Cole will be sidelined for up to two months with a thumb problem as the Eagles also manage a fresh injury to small forward Jarrod Cameron.

Cole suffered a fractured thumb in last Thursday night's Marsh Community Series loss to Essendon and will undergo surgery.

The injury is a significant blow to the 22-year-old, who enjoyed a strong pre-season and was on track to re-establish himself in the Eagles' back six after his career stalled in 2019. 

"We thought we got through unscathed versus Essendon last week but late in the game Tom Cole suffered a thumb injury which unfortunately ended up being a fracture which is going to have to be operated on," football manager Craig Vozzo said. 

"It means that Tom is going to miss a significant period of time, probably something in the order of six-to-eight weeks at this point in time.

"He'll still be able to run and keep himself fit so hopefully time out of the game won't be too extensive."

Cameron, who missed the Eagles' clash against the Bombers and has sat out of training drills in recent weeks, has developed a pubic bone stress injury.

The small forward, who shaped as an important cog in an Eagles' attack missing premiership star Willie Rioli, has battled the issue in the past and the Eagles will take a conservative approach with his recovery. 

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"He's probably going to have at least a month of no running and pretty limited activities which obviously will delay his start to the season," Vozzo said.

"How quickly we elevate his training will be dependent on symptoms as we progress through the process."

Meanwhile, key-position stars Jeremy McGovern (heel) and Jack Darling (cheekbone) are in the mix to face Fremantle in Saturday's pre-season clash at HBF Arena.

Vozzo said McGovern had exceeded the club's expectations in recent weeks, stepping up his training and getting himself in good condition.

The four-time All-Australian trained with the main group on Tuesday.

Key forward Darling, who was held out of contact work after suffering the cheekbone fracture last month, is also pushing to face the Dockers.

"We'll make a decision later in the week as to whether he plays in consultation with our doctor," Vozzo said of Darling.

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Young tall Oscar Allen is also in the mix after a pre-season interrupted by a hernia issue and ankle injury.

Vozzo said young midfielder Luke Foley was aiming to play in a WAFL practice match in the coming weeks as he works back from a pubic bone stress injury.

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