West Coast utility Sam Butler has been assured by club doctors there is nothing wrong with his troublesome groin despite experiencing discomfort in the area.

Butler has been plagued by groin injuries throughout his 61-game career at the Eagles, failing to notch an AFL appearance in 2007 and returning for just five in 2008.

The 23-year-old, who was part of the Eagles' 2006 premiership side, featured 16 times for West Coast last season but has recently experienced some minor problems related to a hernia operation he underwent last year.

"I've had a couple of old injuries that have flared up a little bit but nothing to get too worried about," Butler said on Wednesday.

"A little bit (of discomfort) with my hernia surgery I had last year, just a bit there, but all the doctors assured me it was nothing that would keep me out for any length of time.

"I'm moving up (my workload) pretty quickly.

"Every year I seem to say I'm looking forward to an uninterrupted year but whether I get it or not is yet to be seen."

Butler has been able to take part in most aspects of pre-season training and said he had been enjoying the rigorous regime.

"It's good to be tired at the end of the day," he said.

"The best part is not to finish a session knowing the other boys have trained harder than you because you had to back off because of your injury.

"This is the first time I've been running at this time of year for three or four years so hopefully if I can get a good base of fitness it will hold me in good stead."

Butler believed West Coast's fledgling squad had the ability to break back into the finals in 2010.

"I don't see why not," he said.

"We went from four wins two years ago to eight wins last year.

"If we can have the same kind of improvement, another four wins, we are right around the mark."

Butler was used as a midfielder during West Coast's 2006 premiership charge but played predominantly across half back last season as coach John Worsfold eased him back into playing duties.

"I enjoyed my time at half back last year," he said.

"Like anyone playing in a new position I was a bit here and there for the first two or three games but they stuck with me and I felt like I got better."

Butler joined his teammates at St John of God hospital on Wednesday to get his vaccination for the H1N1 virus.

"There were a few scared faces but it was easy really!" he joked.

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