VETERAN West Coast midfielder Daniel Kerr has been sent in for minor knee surgery on Friday after leaving the training track on Wednesday with discomfort.
Kerr has managed just 10 matches this season for West Coast due to various issues surrounding his knees and a cracked rib.
Kerr hasn't played for the Eagles since round 14 against Essendon but had 35 disposals and three goals for East Fremantle in the WAFL last Saturday.
The 2007 All Australian midfielder was expected to return to the Eagles' line-up following that performance but an MRI on his knee this week has seen him sent in for minor surgery.
Kerr is expected to bounce back quickly and could be fit to play again as early as next week.
The Eagles have made four changes ahead of Sunday's clash with Essendon.
Adam Carter has been rested after four consecutive games from debut. Mark Hutchings and Ashton Hams have been omitted. Andrew Embley has also been left out just two games shy of 250.
Chris Masten has made an extraordinary recovery from an ankle injury. Mark LeCras also returns following a foot problem that saw him miss the past two.
Matt Priddis was a late withdrawal against Gold Coast last Saturday with quad tightness but is set to return against the Bombers.
Patrick McGinnity also returns for his first appearance since copping a three-match suspension for a sling-tackle on Adelaide's Bernie Vince.
McGinnity, rewarded for 26 disposals and three goals for Claremont in the WAFL last Saturday, said on Monday that he was a little bemused to be rubbed out for three matches given Adelaide's Shaun McKernan received just a two-match ban for a high elbow in the same game.
"I did scratch me head a little bit and I know a lot of people did but I had carry-over points which probably made my penalty a little but worse," McGinnity said.
The 24-year-old said he wouldn't be changing his tackling style despite the result.
