Eagles could have key players return - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eagles could have key players return

By Adam Cooper and Will Swanton 18/08/2003 08:07:43 PM Comments (0)

West Coast is poised to have some vital elements of its centre square set-up return from injury in a major boost before the AFL finals.

The Eagles could get star ruckman Michael Gardiner and midfielder Andrew Embley back for Sunday's game against Melbourne at Subiaco, as West Coast aims to snap its lacklustre form.

Gardiner led the league in hit-outs before missing the past four games with a knee injury.

Embley has been outstanding this season booting 29 goals as a winger before breaking his collarbone against Hawthorn in round 17.

The pair trained along with onballer Chad Morrison (knee) and key-position players Travis Gaspar (foot) and Trent Carroll (knee).

The quintet will undergo fitness tests later this week.

Eagles football manager Steve Woodhouse said Embley was a 50-50 chance to return after he was initially expected to be sidelined until at least round 22.

"We always said three to four weeks, and he's missed three," he said.

"It just depends what the medicos say so we won't take any risks, but we'll just watch how he catches it this week."

"(With Gardiner) we'll leave it to Friday to see, but we expect him to play."

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