WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson has taken the blame for Luke Shuey's double hamstring blow in the Eagles' win over Essendon on Tuesday.
The Eagles skipper cited a tight left hamstring before three-quarter time but returned to the field in the final term.
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He then suffered a minor right hamstring strain after returning to the field, with his premiership coach saying it was his decision to put him back on the ground.
The 2018 Norm Smith medallist won't play again before the finals series.
"In the end I need to own that one," Simpson said on Friday.
"At three quarter-time it was 'He's had a bit of a feel in one of his hamstrings, he can't feel it on the testing, he's running at 28 km/hr, he can kick the ball no worries, let's use him if we really need him', knowing he is probably going to miss a week or two because he's had history and he's done this before.
"I said 'OK no worries'. Then the Bombers kicked the first goal and we said 'OK, let's break the glass' (and bring Shuey back on the ground). He got through and was going to miss a couple of weeks anyway, but there was a second shooter out there and his other hamstring tightened up.
"In hindsight we shouldn't have played him. We should've backed in who we had and unfortunately we're dealing with two little hamstrings rather one.
"He'll miss the same amount of time, so that's not the issue, it's just the fact it's another injury. We need to own that, I need own it and I'll take the hit for that one."
The Eagles face a quick turnaround ahead of Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs, but will be boosted by the return of star forward Josh Kennedy from concussion.
"Josh will play. He's played five minutes in the last two weeks so he's actually quite fresh," Simpson said.
"He's had his break. We had a bit of a scrimmage against Richmond on Wednesday and he didn't compete in that but he trained pretty well along with Jake Waterman (hand) and Jack Petruccelle (hamstring) on the sidelines.
"All those guys are not far off."
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Ruckman Nic Naitanui is a chance to be rested for the clash with a decision to come on Saturday on the big man's availability.
The clash is important in the Eagles’ hopes to land a top-four spot.
