WEST Coast's match committee will face some tough selection decisions ahead of Sunday's trip to face Essendon, with Drew Petrie, Jamie Cripps and Jackson Nelson all pushing to regain their spots after injury lay-offs.
Petrie is set to play his first game since breaking his left hand in the opening minutes of his Eagles debut against his old club North Melbourne in round one.
But the veteran forward/ruck might be forced to make his comeback via the WAFL after upgraded rookie Fraser McInnes impressed supporting Nathan Vardy in the scrappy win over the Western Bulldogs last Friday night.
The Eagles' once-depleted big man stocks are looking decidedly healthier, with Scott Lycett also on track for a comeback from a shoulder operation within three weeks.
Meanwhile, pressure forward Cripps has made a lightning-fast recovery from a nasty ankle injury suffered during the round five belting from Hawthorn at the MCG and is in line to face the Bombers at Etihad Stadium.
Dashing young defender Jackson Nelson is also ready for his return after fracturing his wrist against the Hawks.
"Jacko has recovered really well from a wrist fracture and we would expect him to be available this weekend should he get through training on Thursday unrestricted," senior physiotherapist Paul Tucker told westcoasteagles.com.au.
"Drew trained well today. He’s been able to grab the footy well and he’s in the same boat as Jacko, whereby we just want to see him get through Thursday’s training without any restriction.
"Crippa has also progressed a lot quicker than we would have anticipated originally.
"He’s been in skills training today, will do main training on Thursday and also, if he gets through unscathed, will be available this weekend."
Thirteen Eagles were on the injury list just three weeks ago, but that has dwindled to just four players with mature-age draftee Willie Rioli ready for his first appearance of the season.
The livewire small forward underwent hamstring tendon surgery in February and is set to make his comeback via East Perth's reserves on limited game time this weekend.
Strong-bodied rookie Simon Tunbridge is also off the injury list for the first time since undergoing a radical hybrid LARS knee reconstruction in December in a bid to save his career.
Tunbridge rejoined the main training group on Tuesday and is scheduled for a mid-to-late season return to the football field.
