West Coast coach John Worsfold admits Dean Cox's poor start to the AFL season is hurting the big man just as much as the winless Eagles.

Cox's 2009 campaign was ruined by a serious groin complaint which plagued him throughout the year and eventually sidelined him after round 15.

A carefully-planned rehabilitation program over the summer addressed the problem but left the four-times All-Australian seriously short of match fitness heading into this season.

Cox has tallied just 14 possessions in two games this year but Worsfold insisted the 203cm ruckman was doing everything possible to regain his touch.

"I don't have to put the acid on him too much, he knows where he's at," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"You can see in his body language that he's disappointed with the way he's performed in the first two rounds.

"I don't really need to tell him that for us to be winning games we need him performing at his best.

"If I thought he was just cruising along and not to concerned then I would be putting the acid on him, but I know how much it's hurting him."

But while Worsfold is backing Cox to return to his peak powers, he said the 28-year-old must regain his touch soon.

"Even with his current fitness level it's no excuse not to impact the game when he's on the field," Worsfold said.

"His ruck work, some of it was really good, some outstanding ruck work on the weekend but not impacting around the ground, not judging the game as well as we know he can.

"But that will come pretty quick.

"I think you can see where he wants to get to but he can't quite make some of those contests at the moment.

"But as I said that will turn around pretty quickly.

"The bonus is that he's pulled up well the last two weeks and is able to train so things are going in the right direction."

Worsfold said sharpshooter Mark LeCras was a chance to return for Saturday's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium after missing last week's loss to Port Adelaide with a hamstring complaint.

"He's progressing really well, he hasn't missed a beat in terms of what they've asked him to do so he's following the rehab program really well," Worsfold said.

The Eagles will have to make at least three changes to replace suspended defender Shannon Hurn and injured duo Mark Nicoski (shoulder) and Sam Butler (facial fracture).

Worsfold said forward Ben McKinley and midfielders Matt Rosa, Will Schofield and Bradd Dalziell were in line for selection along with rookies' Ashton Hams, Lewis Stevenson and Andrew Strijk.

Tim Houlihan (foot) was placed on the long-term injury list last week.

But Quinten Lynch, who tallied 23 possessions and kicked 2.2 for West Perth on Monday, is set for another week in the WAFL.

"He did not play at full forward as long as we would like," Worsfold said.

"We would like Lynchy to put enormous pressure on by kicking fours, fives, sixes at WAFL level."

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