Wirrpanda in fitness race to play Saints - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Wirrpanda in fitness race to play Saints

By Justin Chadwick 07/04/2009 05:27:06 PM Comments (0)

West Coast defender David Wirrpanda will be given until Thursday to prove his fitness for Saturday's AFL clash with St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

Wirrpanda was a late withdrawal from last week's 50-point win over Port Adelaide after suffering back-related hamstring soreness on the Friday before the game.

The 29-year-old completed a series of light runs at training on Tuesday but Eagles coach John Worsfold was more hopeful than confident Wirrpanda would be fit to face the Saints.

"We are not going to push him up too hard," Worsfold said on Tuesday.

"But because it is related to his back there is every chance he could be feeling really good on Thursday morning.

"We'll keep him there as a possibility all the way until we can see what he can do on Thursday.

"We just have to weigh up how much time we want to give him.

"If he doesn't feel it at all today and on Thursday then there is that chance we'll have a look at him.

"He's had these before and he's played with them before and he's got through games, so we've got to weigh that up.

"Depending on the level of soreness, players can get through and not tear their hammies when they've had these feelings but there is a risk involved every time you do that.

"Most times ... you get away with it but we've got to go through that process later in the week."

Worsfold said ruckman Mark Seaby and Brent Staker would come into the selection mix this week but the pair are facing an uphill battle to break back into the side following the Eagles' dominant performance against the Power.

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