West Coast midfielder Chad Fletcher is in a race against time to prove his fitness for Saturday's crunch AFL match against Geelong at Skilled Stadium.

Fletcher was a key ingredient in the Eagles' success in the opening 15 rounds of the season before injuring his back against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in round 16.

The Eagles' midfield has struggled to fire over the past fortnight with the less heralded onballer sidelined alongside gun ruckman Michael Gardiner and wingman Andrew Embley.

A fit Fletcher would be a valuable addition as West Coast attempts to put its finals charge back on track after dropping three of the past four matches.

The Eagles have tailed off in the last month, slipping from second to seventh on the ladder, and need to down the Cats to enhance their chances of a home final.

West Coast has not won in Geelong since 1999 but the Cats have struggled at home over the past two seasons having won only six of 14 matches on their home turf.

Gardiner is an outside chance of returning for the Eagles, who have opted to fly out on Thursday, some two days before the match.

Eagles defender Drew Banfield should be available for selection while veteran defender Ashley McIntosh is again a chance of returning for his first match since round 12.

West Coast coach John Worsfold denied his team had lost confidence after dropping its first home match of the season to Adelaide on Saturday.

"I don't think the confidence is low, they are probably a bit more resolved about putting up more of a show this weekend," he said.

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