Fremantle coach Mark Harvey is optimistic goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne will recover in time to take his place in Sunday's western derby against AFL arch rivals West Coast.

Ballantyne injured his hamstring and was subbed out of the game in the Dockers' 49-point loss to Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

A final call on Ballantyne's fitness will be made after training on Saturday, but Harvey was hopeful the 174cm antagonist would be fit to play.

"I'd say don't be surprised if he plays," Harvey said.

"He's got a minor complaint in his hamstring, it's nothing major.

"So I guess with the eight-day break and the fact that we brought him off and didn't bring him back on all helps that situation.

"Come Saturday morning when we have our last training session we'll know a lot more and don't be surprised if he plays."

The Dockers are warm favourites to extend their western derby winning streak to eight games.

But with the likes of Roger Hayden, Michael Barlow, Tendai Mzungu, Alex Silvagni, Nick Suban and Anthony Morabito among a list of 14 players on Fremantle's injury list, Harvey expected the contest to be an even one.

"If you framed a market on availability, we're the underdogs," Harvey told Perth radio station 6PR.

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