WEST Coast key defender Jeremy McGovern will travel to Brisbane ahead of West Coast's clash with the Lions on Sunday but Eagles coach Adam Simpson was still unsure whether he would be fit to play.
McGovern injured his left knee last Sunday against Fremantle. Scans cleared him of any structural damage but he does have some bone bruising.
Simpson said McGovern trained on Thursday, after missing Tuesday's session, and he would travel with the squad on Friday.
"We'll take him for sure and see how he pulls up once we land," Simpson said.
"We think there are good signs there. He has a bit of bone bruising in his knee but there is no damage, so it's more how he feels.
"He can't do any more damage to it."
Simpson did confirm that 23-year-old big man Fraser McInnes would become West Coast's fourth debutant of the season as the Eagles desperately search for replacements to cover their deepening injury toll.
"He's got good versatility and he's earned his spot in the side," Simpson said.
"He can play forward, ruck or down back.
"Fraser has been with us for four years so we need to find out about these guys and while we're going through this phase with a couple of soldiers down, we can actually try a few things."
McInnes was drafted with pick No.28 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft. The 197cm ruckman/forward has played 62 WAFL matches but has had to wait four seasons to make his AFL debut. He has played most of his WAFL football as a second ruck and key forward, but last week he was thrust into defence for East Perth as the Eagles continue to trial defensive options.
"He's a work horse," Simpson said.
"He'll do everything he can for the team.
"He played a snippet against Port Adelaide (in the NAB Challenge) and played as a second ruckman for us and competed really well, with six or seven tackles.
"That's what we’re looking for this week, competitors.
"He's much loved by the players. He's gone through a lot of hard work to get to where he is and has deserved his position in the side this week.
"He's more confident in his own ability and his ability to play in different positions now is to a level where it gives us good flexibility."
McInnes' presence may allow Elliot Yeo to return to the midfield after he has spent much of the first three rounds in defence covering for the losses of Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown.
"Eventually I see him as a 190cm midfielder for us that can break the lines," Simpson said.
"I think that's what we're looking for. But at the moment we're a bit light on for height and we may need him down back as well."
Young midfielder Brant Colledge has also been added to the squad after three weeks of outstanding form at WAFL level. Simpson said he is looking to identify options that can run through the midfield. He believes he has enough talent in there but said he needs to see more consistency of effort.
"We know it's an area that we need to develop in," Simpson said.
"At stages we're really good across the board, across our midfield, and then at some stages we are unable to compete against the best. I think you've seen the best and worst of us this year. The consistency is what I'm looking for – not necessarily talent but effort."
