THE IMMEDIATE playing future of West Coast ruckman Nic Naitanui is up in the air as the 22-year-old struggles to overcome a worrying groin injury.

Naitanui was forced to have groin surgery last November after a two-month rest period failed to heal the injury.

West Coast's medical staff were initially confident Naitanui would be fit by the start of the season.

But the All Australian is still experiencing soreness in the area, especially when his training loads are increased.

The Eagles are taking a slow approach with Naitanui, knowing a recurrence of the injury could rule the ruckman out for most - if not all - of the season.

Coach John Worsfold said the Eagles couldn't put a timeline on Naitanui's return until he was able to resume full training.

"These injuries can linger over the course of full seasons and multiple seasons. We don't want that to happen," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"He hasn't been able to step up to anywhere near full training yet.

"So until he does that, he's probably still three weeks away from playing.

"We want to prepare Nic to be able to come in and play full games.

"We probably won't go down the option of giving him half a game in the reserves team somewhere.

"It's likely we'll train him up until he's ready to go."

The continued absence of Naitanui is a huge blow to the Eagles, who rely heavily on his influence in the ruck and up forward.

Although Dean Cox is a champion, Scott Lycett struggled as the back-up tap specialist in the club's 28-point loss to Fremantle in round one.

In better news for the Eagles, star midfielder Daniel Kerr will make his playing return on Saturday via East Fremantle in the WAFL.

Kerr had knee surgery during the off-season, and Worsfold said he would resist the temptation of selecting the 29-year-old for Sunday's clash with Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium.

"He's ready to play now but we wouldn't think he'd run out a full game," Worsfold said.

"There's the option of playing him as your sub player, but there's always a risk you get an early injury and he has to then play out a full game.

"And that potentially puts him at risk."

Mitch Brown will replace defender Eric Mackenzie (hamstring), and Worsfold backed the 24-year-old to quell Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin.

The Eagles need to find a replacement for injured forward Mark LeCras (arm), while former Collingwood midfielder Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) and Matt Rosa (quad) are others still sidelined.