WEST Coast star Luke Shuey expects veteran Sam Mitchell to recover in time to face Sydney on Thursday night and doubts the Eagles will make changes just to freshen up the side coming off a five-day break.

The Eagles have a regime of massages, ice baths and only light training planned to prepare for the winless Swans at Domain Stadium, coming off a bruising loss to Richmond in the wet at the MCG.

Coach Adam Simpson last week admitted Mitchell, 34, was a chance to be rested for the clash – with a return to face former club Hawthorn on the horizon in round five – but Shuey was confident the Brownlow medallist would take his place.

"He'll play. He's already had about two hours of massage this morning – the old boys pull rank," Shuey said.

"He's pulled up well, he's extremely competitive, he wouldn't want to miss a game, especially against Sydney this week who he has had some great battles with in the past.

"We certainly need him to play as well."

After being beaten up in contested ball by the Tigers (159-134), the Eagles are relishing the chance to bounce back against the big-bodied Swans.

"A five-day break, I actually think it's going to be easier than what people think it might be, so I'm looking forward to a quick turnaround and getting into it," Shuey said.

"You don't have to dwell on the loss too long."

"I think mentally once you get into a state where you're ready to play, you find your body turns the corner pretty quick."

Shuey insisted the Eagles, sitting sixth with a 2-1 record, were building after an up-and-down start to the year and backed speedster Lewis Jetta to improve as the side hit its straps.

Jetta, who will take on his old club this round, had 14 touches against Richmond but has been questioned for not taking the game on with his electric pace.

"It's easy to sit there and tell blokes who are quick to get it and run, but the way teams defend these days it's a lot harder than you probably think," Shuey said.

"Some of the stuff he's been doing that he's not getting praise for has been terrific.

"We're confident he's not far off hitting his best footy."

Meanwhile, Shuey denied pace was a broader issue at West Coast amid criticism of the midfield's leg speed.

"We've had other issues that have been the reason we've leaked some big scores and easy goals. Speed hasn't been one of them," he said.

"I think at times speed is a little bit overrated, but we've certainly got guys through our midfield who have got a bit of toe, so I don't think that's an issue."