West Coast coach Adam Simpson says he was relieved to hear Josh Kennedy's calf injury wasn't serious, but he's yet to figure out how to replace the key forward.
The Eagles feared Kennedy would be set for a big chunk on the sidelines after the two-time Coleman medallist suffered a painful calf injury in Sunday's AFL loss to Greater Western Sydney.
But scans have cleared him of major damage, with Kennedy expected to miss only three weeks.
West Coast take on Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday, before having a bye.
They then host Geelong in a Thursday night blockbuster in Perth, with Kennedy on track to return for the round 14 home clash with Melbourne the following week.
Kennedy has topped the AFL's goalkicking charts the past two years, and his absence will leave big shoes to fill.
But Simpson has plenty of options up his sleeve.
Former Kangaroo Drew Petrie, ex-Cat Nathan Vardy, All-Australian defender Jeremy McGovern, young backman Tom Barrass, and inexperienced forward Tom Lamb could all fill a key slot up forward.
Simpson said Kennedy's injury would open the door for some creative thinking.
"In some ways it's exciting," Simpson told Perth radio station 6PR.
"JK is probably one of the most kicked-to players in the competition in terms of target players inside-50.
"Barrass was a forward when he got drafted. And same with Gov - you can tell in their past life they played a bit of time forward. We need to look at that."
"We need everyone to step up. We've got to get that supply better to have any chance of success."
Luke Shuey (calf) and Mark LeCras (hip) are expected to return against the Suns.
Simpson was relieved Kennedy avoided a more serious injury.
"I think we all thought the worst there for a little bit the way he went down. It looked like he got shot," Simpson said.
"But it's a soleus injury and it's a standard calf."
Meanwhile, Simpson wouldn't be drawn on rumours the club are attempting to lure Norm Smith medallist Jason Johanissen, Gold Coast forward Brandon Matera, and Adelaide's Mitch McGovern to the Eagles.
"That would be handy. Is that all happening?" Simpson quipped.
"That's scuttlebutt. I've got no connection to those reports.
"We have list management meetings every month or two, and I"m part of those discussions.
"But to say all that publicly is not something we normally do, so I'm assuming it's coming from other sources."
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