West Coast ruckman Scott Lycett is in danger of missing the rest of the AFL season after experiencing soreness in his reconstructed left shoulder.
Lycett made his long-awaited AFL return in the round 16 loss to Port Adelaide, but he was forced to miss Sunday's 30-point western derby win over Fremantle after his left shoulder didn't come up to scratch.
It was the same shoulder Lycett needed surgery on after dislocating it during the pre-season.
Lycett will undergo further assessment this week.
If he receives good news, he could be available for Sunday's crunch clash with Collingwood at Etihad Stadium.
But if it's bad news, he may need to undergo another round of surgery.
Eagles coach Adam Simpson said it was too early to tell what the outcome will be.
"It could be one week, or it could be the season," Simpson said.
"We haven't worked it out yet. He's just a bit sore. A bit grumbly. I'm not going to speculate."
If Lycett is ruled out for the rest of the year, it would be a huge blow to West Coast's premiership hopes.
All-Australian Nic Naitanui (knee) is almost certain to be wrapped in cotton wool until next year, meaning former Cat Nathan Vardy and ex-North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie will need to keep carrying the ruck load.
Elliot Yeo, who was a late withdrawal against Fremantle because of a sore knee, is expected to return against Collingwood.
West Coast have winnable games against the Magpies (away), Brisbane (home), St Kilda (away), and Carlton (home) over the next four weeks in a stretch that could get them back into top-four calculations.
But Simpson concedes his midfield group need to lift after they received a stoppage walloping at the hands of Fremantle.
The Dockers won the clearances (40-28) and the inside-50s (57-46), but let West Coast off the hook with poor goalkicking.
"There were plenty of concerns about the clearances," Simpson said.
"We had extras there at stages and tried to get a couple of jobs done, but we just couldn't stop the supply."
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