JACOB Hopper is ready for his first senior game of the season for Greater Western Sydney – now he just needs to get picked by coach Leon Cameron.

Hopper is the frontrunner to replace the injured Tendai Mzungu (hamstring) in the Giants team to take on Gold Coast on Saturday at Spotless Stadium, the opponent he torched with 32 possessions on debut at the same venue in round eight last year.

Minor heart surgery and lower back soreness have interrupted the 20-year-old's training over summer, but he's been back in full training for the past three weeks, and has played two trial games in the NEAFL to build up his match fitness.

Hopper was one of the Giants' best in a loss to Sydney University last Saturday, and Cameron said his young gun had done everything expected of him over the past month to make a strong case for his inclusion against the Suns.

"He's had such an interrupted pre-season, but he's a good quality player," he said.

"We know he can get his hands dirty, he's very good as a clearance player, and he was very good on the weekend in our practice match.

"He's probably ready to go, and obviously a spot has opened up with Tendai going out, so he's probably the likely option.

"He'll no doubt put his hand up."

Attacking defender Nathan Wilson will also be considered for the Suns clash after he was surprisingly left out of the Giants' season opener in Adelaide. 

Cameron said the West Australian's form, and a disrupted preparation after having surgery on both hips in the off-season, had contributed to his omission. 

"I think Nathan would be the first one to put up his hand and admit that he's probably not going as well as he should be," he said.

"He also had a double hip operation over the break so he didn't start until late, and he just needs some more games.

"There's no doubt he'll put his hand up to play, and what we did see this time last year was the coming of Nathan Wilson, and when he is fully switched on, and fully prepared, he can be a really dangerous weapon for us off half back."

Cameron's admitted his side's performance was unacceptable against the Crows, but ruled out making wholesale changes after the 56-point loss.

"You like to back your players in and give the guys a chance to respond," he said.

"There's no doubt there were some players that didn't play to the level that they wanted and obviously we wanted, so there might be a change or two."

Cameron said he expected power forward Jonathon Patton to overcome a knock to his hip and be fit to face Gold Coast, with key defender Aidan Corr (hand) also in the frame to play if he can get through training during the week.