EAGLES star Josh Kennedy will have to pass a searching fitness test this Saturday if he is to line up against Gold Coast in round four.

The dual Coleman medallist has been building his workload at West Coast training in recent weeks after a minor knee operation slightly pushed back his return date following ankle surgery in December.

While a young Eagles forward line has shown plenty of potential in the opening two rounds, Kennedy's comeback would be a significant boost for Adam Simpson's outfit.

"We've got another big training session this week and we'll make a decision on Saturday after training," Kennedy told 6PR.

"I'm looking to play next week. If not, definitely round five, but we're pushing for next week."

There were some positive signs for Nathan Vardy (adductor) and Brendon Ah Chee (ankle) at Lathlain Park on Tuesday, with both players back on the track with the main group.

Vardy hasn't played since going down in the scratch match against Fremantle on March 3, a week after Ah Chee turned his ankle.

"Nathan is really looking forward to getting into more training. He started doing that at the weekend and through the early parts of this week. So far so good," football manager Craig Vozzo told westcoasteagles.com.au.

"We’re looking at probably AFL (round) five or six for 'Vards'.

"Brendon is tracking really well at the moment with the main training group doing a little bit more with them and a hell of a lot of running with Nathan Vardy.

"We'd expect him back in the next few weeks and the aim is about AFL (round) five."

Mobile young forward Oscar Allen is also making strong progress from a shin injury and could be back for East Perth within three weeks.

Fellow draftee Hamish Brayshaw could be on a similar timeframe as the club consults medicos about a knee injury suffered against Peel on March 24.

"He hasn't quite come along with rest to the extent that we wanted, so we're going to look at having him looked at by our surgeons and giving us some recommendations," Vozzo said.

"It's looking like he’ll be probably two or three weeks laid up and then back into it."

Former club champion Eric Mackenzie has started on-ground running again after stress fractures in both feet, but is still facing an indefinite spell on the sidelines.