West Coast won't forbid their players from taking part in novelty events despite emerging star Nic Naitanui still nursing a hamstring injury suffered during the AFL grand final sprint.

While the Eagles' first, second and third year players started pre-season training this week, Naitanui is still two weeks away from joining them after suffering the grade two tear during the September 26 run-off.

But Eagles assistant coach Peter Sumich said the club was comfortable with their players competing in such events and claimed Naitanui's injury was nothing more than bad luck.

"No (we won't restrict players from taking part in the future), that's part of the AFL," Sumich said.

"Brent Staker was supposed to go but the AFL pushed for Nic, so we sent Nic over.

"We are a bit disappointed it (the injury) happened but it might have been (a case of) ... a young kid going over and not doing enough stretches, we don't know.

"We are taking it very cautious with him.

"He'll be ready to go in a week or two."

Ruckman Dean Cox and onballer Daniel Kerr are still on modified programs in their bid to overcome their respective groin complaints and Sumich said he was unsure whether the star duo would be fit to tackle Essendon in the NAB Cup opener at Subiaco Oval on February 12.

"It will be touch and go for them," Sumich said.

"They'll be back next week (at training) and will still be doing their rehab program.

"Hopefully in late December they'll be joining in at training depending on how their rehab is going, it might be earlier but we have to see."

Sumich said 19-year-old midfielder Luke Shuey, who was dogged by groin complaints last season and failed to notch a game for the Eagles in his first year at the club, would be on a modified training program for the next two to three weeks.

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