WEST Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy has revealed he might not return before the final round of the season as he continues to battle a hairline fracture in his shin.
In a worrying development for the Eagles as they fight for a top-two spot, Kennedy has already ruled himself out of Saturday's tough trip to Port Adelaide.
The dual Coleman medallist admits he is doubtful to be fit for a huge meeting with Melbourne at Optus Stadium in round 22.
"I'll start doing some training this week. I won't play this week and it will be a bit of a push for next week as well," Kennedy told 6PR.
"Hopefully, I can fully train next week and get through what I need to do to play against Melbourne, because we've got a couple of really big games coming up.
"If not, I'll be definitely hoping to push for Brisbane, which is the last game of the year, because I think I need a game in definitely before we kick into finals."
West Coast has a 4-4 record without Kennedy this season, but only one of those victories has come against a top-eight team – an undermanned Giants outfit in round 16.
Kennedy copped a blow to his shin in a collision with defender Tom Cole at training two weeks ago, close to a previous hairline fracture just below his knee.
The second-placed Eagles are six points clear of Greater Western Sydney and need two more victories to seal a couple of home finals at Optus Stadium.
But they have lost significant star power in recent weeks, with midfielder Andrew Gaff set for a lengthy suspension for his brutal punch on Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw.
Gaff could join ruck talisman Nic Naitanui (knee) on the sidelines for the rest of 2018.
"It's definitely out of character for 'Gaffy'. I think he's gone through (nearly) 180 games of never being reported, never once having an incident," Kennedy said.
"'Gaffy's' the type of bloke who is pretty quiet, reserved.
"He goes about his football in his own manner and he's been tagged many, many weeks and been belted many, many weeks and he's never really let frustration go.
"He's obviously been crucified a bit, but he did get it wrong. He went to whack him in the chest and he's hit him in the face and he's caused some drama there.
"He feels absolutely gutted."
