West Coast AFL coach Adam Simpson concedes his side aren’t fit or fast enough, but he’s refusing to bite back at criticism from his premiership teammate David King.

Simpson is firmly under the spotlight after last Sunday’s shock loss to Collingwood, dropping West Coast to ninth on the table.

The fourth-year coach insists he’s up for the fight as he bids to re-energise his squad over the next 12 months, with the futures of veterans like Mark LeCras and Matt Priddis unclear.

King, who played alongside Simpson in North Melbourne’s 1996 and ’99 flags, said LeCras should never feature again at AFL level after a string of substandard displays.

Simpson said he didn’t feel a need to ring King about the comments and he wouldn’t pay much attention to them.

“He can make his comments and judgements; I’m not going to fight that fight with those guys,” Simpson said on Wednesday.

“They’re irrelevant to me, what David says about my players.

“The ball’s in Lecca’s court. If he can produce this week, that’s up to him. But to suggest he’ll never play again – that’s someone’s opinion, not mine.

“It’s about what we need to do, not what David wants to do.”

West Coast will start as hot favourites on Sunday against Brisbane at Domain Stadium.

Simpson will consider handing a debut to young midfielder Luke Partington, who has been racking up big numbers in the WAFL.

Ruckman Scott Lycett (shoulder) will be considered for a recall if he can prove his fitness at Thursday’s main training session.

But if Lycett’s shoulder pulls up sore, his season will end.