GEELONG at Geelong is one of the toughest tasks in football but it has become even tougher for West Coast this week after captain Darren Glass was ruled out with a hip injury.

Adam Simpson will be forced to call on reinforcements with Glass joining Mark LeCras (fractured arm), Chris Masten (hamstring strain), Shannon Hurn (knee) and Luke Shuey (suspension) on the sidelines as the Eagles travel to Simonds Stadium to take on the red-hot Cats on Saturday night.

"We won't be playing with our skipper this week," Simpson said.

"He's a bit sore. His hip is just a bit tight.

"It'll be a one-week thing considering his load and how much he's done over pre-season and his experience. He's not 100 per cent so he can't play."

Simpson is upbeat despite the loss of so many senior players from his line-up in one fell swoop.

"You can't replace all those players but you can give some opportunities to some kids," Simpson said.

"We thought we handled the Sydney Swans game in Blacktown, albeit a NAB Challenge and glorified practice match, we went there and we performed well. So we've got a bit to draw on but we're going to be inexperienced."

The Eagles have had a fabulous start to their first season under Simpson. It is the ninth time in the club's history they have started 3-0 and they have gone on to play finals on the eight previous occasions.

But this week they face their biggest test yet according to Simpson.

The Eagles have won just once in their past nine trips to Simonds Stadium. In round 10, 2006 they came from 36 points down at three-quarter time to win by three before eventually going on to win the premiership.

"It's a massive challenge, no doubt about that," Simpson said.

"But we're really looking forward to it. It's going to be a great experience."

Dean Cox will break the club games record with his 277th match on Saturday night and Simpson says the players are keen to perform well for their talismanic ruckman.

"We've acknowledged it this week for sure," Simpson said.

"We had a chat in the meeting today and saw some highlights of his career.

"It's a big milestone for the club. Not that you get yourself up for those games but they're good to play well in."