WEST Coast is facing the prospect of negotiating the toughest stretch of its season without Luke Shuey after confirming a hamstring tear will sideline the star midfielder for several matches.
Shuey went down with a right hamstring strain in the opening minutes of Saturday's 42-point triumph over Port Adelaide.
The damaging onballer had been carrying a sore big toe and tight left hamstring, and will now miss two-to-three games.
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The Eagles hit the road to face GWS this Saturday, before a home bout with Richmond and tough trip to take on Hawthorn in a potentially season-defining series of matches.
West Coast hoped Dom Sheed (foot) and Lewis Jetta (calf) would be available to return against the Giants, but could now turn to youngster Brayden Ainsworth or ex-Power midfielder Brendon Ah Chee for his club debut to replace Shuey.
"With ‘Jetts’, we’re probably going to be a little bit more conservative with the management this time given that he had a reoccurrence previously," football manager Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.
"It’ll hopefully be another week and we’ll hopefully be in a position to look at him for selection next week.
"Dominic’s making really good progress. He’s started his on-track work and slowly building that up.
"He’ll probably be another week, possibly two, but we’re hoping next week (he’ll return to play)."
The Eagles could have at least two forced changes this week, with talismanic ruckman Nic Naitanui set to fight a one-match ban for a dangerous tackle.
With injury-plagued big man Nathan Vardy still at least two weeks away following his adductor setback, Naitanui's possible suspension could open the door for Fraser McInnes to play just his 12th game in seven seasons.