Injuries to key West Coast duo Mark LeCras and Chris Masten have put a dent in Daniel Kerr's chances of making his AFL return this weekend, according to Eagles coach John Worsfold.

Kerr hasn't featured for West Coast since tearing his hamstring off the bone in round four last year.

The 27-year-old impressed during his two WAFL hit-outs over the past fortnight and Worsfold confirmed Kerr would be right in the selection frame for Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

But although it initially seemed injuries to LeCras (groin) and Masten (knee) would boost Kerr's chances of a recall, Worsfold said it might not.

"If those two were playing maybe it was a certainty Daniel might have come in, he could have played a lesser role," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"We have to weigh up how we want to replace LeCras and Masten, what types of players (we want in and) what we think we can get out of Daniel in a full game.

"The guys who come in, we want them to be pretty fit."

Worsfold said he would consider playing Kerr as the team's nominated sub, but said the 170-game veteran needed to prove his fitness at Wednesday's closed training session first.

"If he gets through training, flies through it today, then he's a real good chance to play," Worsfold said.

And even if Kerr earns the nod this week, Worsfold warned fans to be patient after the midfielder's lengthy lay-off.

"He's not going to come in at his best, that's going to be clear," Worsfold said.

"But he's going to come in getting close to it in terms of fitness.

"But in terms of playing a full game of football at his absolute best, he hasn't done that yet (in the WAFL)."

Ruckman Nic Naitanui, who was a late withdrawal from last week's four-point win over North Melbourne due to a lingering shoulder injury, is a strong chance to return against the Power, while Koby Stevens, Andrew Strijk, Eric Mackenzie and 19-year-old forward Gerrick Weedon are others in line to play.

Worsfold said he was yet to decide on how to fill the massive void left by All-Australian LeCras, who will miss the next 7-10 weeks with a serious groin injury.

"We don't want to shuffle too much and have to take from one area to cover another area," he said.

"It's obviously a big blow because he's one of the best in the competition in that role."

Port Adelaide, who copped a 75-point belting at the hands of Collingwood last week, will be without forward Jay Schulz (knee).

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