West Coast coach Adam Simpson is confident Josh Kennedy's injured elbow will be able to stand up to the rigours of the AFL - even if opposition sides try to target it.
Kennedy has been cleared to take on Port Adelaide on Sunday despite damaging his right elbow during last week's win over GWS.
Although there were initial fears Kennedy may require surgery, scans have cleared him of any serious damage and he has been given the green light to take on the Power.
West Coast will continue to monitor the injury in case it gets any worse, but Simpson denied it was an issue that could be aggravated by opponents purposely targeting it.
"It's not an injury you can knock or punch or niggle," Simpson said on Friday.
"If they do it, they do it. It's fine. It's footy. It's all part of it.
"I don't think he's worried about that at all.
"He can play with pain. He might strap it up, but he won't need a guard."
Kennedy leads the Coleman Medal race with 22 goals, and his presence will be crucial against the Power.
Big wins over Brisbane (53 points) and GWS (87) have bolstered West Coast's confidence over the past fortnight.
But Simpson is well aware that facing the Power at their Adelaide Oval fortress presents a far more formidable challenge.
Although Port Adelaide are yet to regain the form that took them within a goal of reaching last year's grand final, they are well placed at 3-2 following consecutive wins over North Melbourne, Hawthorn, and Adelaide.
The Power boast one of the quickest and fittest teams in the competition, while in contrast West Coast's midfield have been labelled slow by many football experts.
Simpson said Sunday's match would be a big test for his fledgling team.
"Port Adelaide probably lead the comp in terms of how quick they run and, more importantly, how quick they move the ball," Simpson said.
"We've seen the damage they can do.
"This is going to be a real challenge for our midfield group and our forwards and our backs.
"It's probably the toughest ask in footy to go to Adelaide Oval."
The Power will be without Jared Polec, who has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a foot injury.
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