West Coast defender Beau Waters must be sick of the waiting game, but it's the only game he is able to play at the moment.
Waters' AFL future has been in limbo since being cut down by injury midway through the 2013 season.
A shoulder reconstruction failed to go to plan, with a subsequent infection forcing the 28-year-old to go under the knife again last year.
Waters was on track to return during the upcoming Nab Challenge games, but a knock at training last week has put those plans on hold.
It's been more than 18 months since Waters has featured for the Eagles, and coach Adam Simpson said the club would get a clearer indication on the veteran's future by the end of this week.
"He was testing it out, and he copped a bit of a knock on it. We're still waiting to see how it settles down to be honest," Simpson said on Tuesday.
"It's how you recover from these knocks you're going to get at training and games (that's crucial).
"Worried is probably not the word. We just have to make sure we do the right thing by him and the club.
"We'll have a crystal clear (indication) by the end of the week about all the things we've put in place."
Waters, Scott Selwood (ankle), Jack Darling (ankle), and Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis (rested) are among a host of players who will miss Friday night's clash with an Indigenous All Stars side in Perth.
Midfielder Chris Masten will captain the Eagles, with a decision on ruckman Nic Naitanui's availability to be made by Wednesday.
Selwood faces a race against time to prove his fitness in time for the club's season opener against the Bulldogs on April 4.
But Simpson tipped a big 2015 for former Collingwood midfielder Sharrod Wellingham, who has been blighted by injuries and poor form since arriving at West Coast two years ago.
"He's a had a really good block of pre-season," Simpson said of the premiership midfielder.
"He's really bought in to what we're trying to do and I expect big things from him."
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