WEST Coast coach John Worsfold is preparing for a Collingwood side rated a top-four prospect in the pre-season, rather than the injury-ravaged outfit that has lost three of its last four matches.

With Alan Didak, Travis Cloke, Paul Medhurst, Dale Thomas and Anthony Rocca all missing in Sunday's 51-point loss to Carlton, the Pies travel to Subiaco Oval wounded and with their backs to the wall.

But Worsfold said reinforcements would be on the way for the visitors and his players would be ready.

"Certainly last week [they were] hit pretty hard with injuries, but I expect that they'll get some quality players back," Worsfold said from Subiaco Oval on Tuesday.

"Looking at the talent in their squad and their pre-season form, we know what we're up against.

"I don't know which ones [they'll get back], but we know how good Collingwood are and what we have to do to win this week."

With Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse also wearing speculation about his future, Worsfold wouldn't buy into the theory that the Magpies were a sterner test when the glare of the football world was on them.

"It's all myth to me," he said.

"I'm in pretty much the same boat (to Malthouse). We're all coming out of contract.

"So I understand what (Richmond coach) Terry Wallace is going through, I understand what (Fremantle coach) Mark Harvey went through in the first few rounds of the season, I understand what Mick's going through.

"I also know that those guys are the types of characters that deal with it quite comfortably."

West Coast fell just five points short of the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium and Worsfold didn’t forecast many changes to his side.

Onballer Daniel Kerr will return from a groin injury if he proves his fitness while Adam Hunter (shoulder) will also be considered.

Premiership players Tyson Stenglein, Ash Hansen and Chad Fletcher all performed well in the WAFL at the weekend, but Worsfold said they could continue to bide their time while the side's youngsters are impressing.  

"I think they're very important players for this footy club and I expect would still continue to be big contributors," Worsfold said.

"But times change, we move on and we get older. More young kids come in and they want their opportunity.

"We're pretty happy with the way the guys are performing in the side, but there's some real good pressure coming from outside as well."