Nic Naitanui could return this weekend against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: PerthNow
WEST Coast coach John Worsfold says there's no limit on the number of returning players he can throw into the side this week because most are match-hardened and ready to play.
Worsfold admitted ruckman Nic Naitanui would be forced to play restricted game time if he resumes against the Western Bulldogs at Patersons Stadium on Sunday.
Naitanui will either make his long-awaited return for the Eagles or not play football at all this weekend.
Worsfold conceded Naitanui would be short of match fitness, as was Daniel Kerr after a limited pre-season, but he was adamant there was no risk in bringing back a host of other players following injuries.
Midfielders Sharrod Wellingham and Matt Rosa are likely to make their first appearances of the season, while Andrew Embley, Adam Selwood and Brad Sheppard are also likely to be available for selection.
"When we pick the side, we would weigh up who are we bringing in and where are they at and what does that mean for the team," Worsfold said.
"It would be fair to say that we wouldn't pick a team that we thought wasn't going to be fit enough to play."
Key clearance winner Matt Priddis, who was concussed in the first quarter of last Saturday's disastrous loss to Port Adelaide, must pass a CogState test before being cleared to play.
"He's looking great, feeling good. He still has to fulfil some commitments in terms of the concussion stuff," Worsfold said.
"But on what we take as indications, he's feeling good. But the doctors will put him through the wringer in that regard."
Worsfold said the club had not lowered its expectations for the season despite its 1-4 start.
"The doomsayers say 'well that's it, the season's done and dusted. You may as well wipe it'," he said.
"Our view is there's a lot of footy to play and we're pretty excited about what we can still achieve.
"We'll cop the criticism and we'll cop the advice. We haven't lived up to expectations to this point, but we're really looking forward to the challenge of stepping up to all that as the season unfolds."
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