Injured Eagles on track for late return

West Coast defender Xavier Ellis has avoided surgery on his injured right shoulder, but he’ll need the Eagles to make the finals if he is to play again this AFL season.

And midfielder Scott Selwood will also attempt to make a brave playing return at the tail-end of the season if the Eagles can scrape their way into September.

West Coast sit just one win adrift of seventh spot following Sunday’s 60-point trouncing of Collingwood at Patersons Stadium.

Victory over Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday would put the Eagles in the box seat to secure a finals berth – an accomplishment that seemed near impossible a fortnight ago when West Coast slipped to a 7-10 record.

Ellis has been ruled out for between three to four weeks after injuring the AC joint in his right shoulder during a heavy fall against Collingwood.

The former Hawk will miss games against Essendon, Melbourne and Gold Coast, but might be available to play in week one of the finals if West Coast make it.

Selwood was initially expected to miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June.

But with West Coast’s top-eight hopes alive and kicking, Selwood could return for the final round of the season or the start of the club’s finals campaign.

“Selwood is pushing hard, really hard to play,” Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

“He is running really well, but he won’t be playing this week.”

Former Lion Elliot Yeo (hand) could also return in time for the finals.

Star forward Mark LeCras, who was a late withdrawal against Collingwood due to a calf injury, faces a race against time to be fit for the Bombers.

Confidence among the Eagles’ camp is sky high following impressive wins over Adelaide and Collingwood.

In contrast, Essendon will enter Saturday’s match on the back of two losses.

Bombers players will also have to deal with the distraction of the club’s Federal Court case against ASADA over Essendon’s supplements scandal.

But the Bombers could be bolstered by the return of skipper Jobe Watson (hip) and Michael Hibberd (hamstring).

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