SCOTT Selwood's decision to put his contract negotiations on hold is not an issue for West Coast coach Adam Simpson.
The Eagles vice captain is set to become a free agent at the end of the season and following initial contract talks with the club, the 24-year-old elected to put negotiations on hold until after he has recovered from his ankle injury.
Simpson said on Tuesday that Selwood's contract situation was not a distraction.
"Not at all. We're comfortable with where we're at with that," Simpson said.
"He's an honest man and we believe the instructions he's given the club and we'll back him in to make the right decision. He's our vice captain and I'm not too concerned.
"My communication mainly with Scott is about getting him back to play. The rest of that stuff, his contract and those sorts of things, will take care of itself."
Selwood had follow-up surgery in early December to clean out some persistent issues with the ankle he initially injured in round three last season.
The 2012 best and fairest has been progressing his running loads over the past few weeks but has not yet done anything beyond straight line running.
Forward Jack Darling has begun higher intensity running but is being carefully monitored as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his foot.
Simpson said both men would need everything to go right over the next month to play any part in the NAB Challenge or even round one.
"For them to play they'd have to have a perfect run at it," Simpson said.
"My experience tells me you always get a little hiccup here and there.
"They're going to give themselves every opportunity but it's not all about playing round one. It's just about getting them right.
"We've still got a bit of work to do before we see them train, let alone play."
In positive news for the club, Elliot Yeo is fully fit and will likely play against the Indigenous All Stars on February 20 at Medibank Stadium.
Yeo broke his hand in round 13 last season and only managed one more game in round 23. Before his injury Yeo moved into the midfield after playing most of the first half of the season at half-back.
"We exposed him in the midfield towards the mid-part of the season and we were really pleased with what he produced," Simpson said.
"He's another player we'll see through the midfield (this year).
"I'm quite excited about what we could produce with a full strength midfield.
"We think with some kids coming through and the more development we put into our group and what I'm trying to teach we'll continue to evolve."
