JOSH Kennedy's round one prospects appear significantly brighter, with the star West Coast spearhead ahead of schedule in his recovery from ankle surgery.

The dual Coleman medallist went under the knife late last month, sparking fears he might not be available for the Eagles' blockbuster season-opener against Sydney at Optus Stadium.

However, in a promising sign, Kennedy was spotted without his moon boot at Lathlain Park on Monday and walked without any noticeable restrictions before his teammates hit the training track.

"He's probably a little bit in front of what we thought," Eagles coach Adam Simpson said.

"Hoping to get him back into pre-season, so that's looking pretty promising.

"It will be touch and go (for round one) but we're hoping that getting out of that boot a couple of weeks earlier will get us more of a look towards round one."

Kennedy missed five games last season due to a calf/Achilles issue and was sent for ankle surgery after experiencing discomfort in the lead-up to Christmas.

Despite the wear and tear on the 30-year-old workhorse's body, Simpson dismissed talk Kennedy might have to change his playing style and stay closer to home in 2018.

"That's just the way he plays. I don't think you can manage someone in that sense – that's what makes him so good," Simpson said.

"But to get him through a full season, and he's just on 30 now, we need to manage how we prepare him."

There were more positive signs on the injury front for West Coast on Monday with blue-chip big man Nic Naitanui joining in early drills before honing his ruck craft away from the main group.

Naitanui, who hasn't played since rupturing his ACL in round 22, 2016 and underwent minor arthroscopic knee surgery in October, has been ruled out of West Coast's AFLX games next month.

Instead the Eagles are targeting their final JLT Community Series clash against Fremantle on March 11 for his long-awaited comeback.

"I would've thought so. We've got a bit of planning to do before we get to that stage, but most of the guys on the track now are aiming for that last game," Simpson said.

Club champion Elliot Yeo (hip), wingmen Andrew Gaff (ankle) and Lewis Jetta (calf) all joined main training in wet and blustery conditions, as the Eagles focused on ball movement inside attacking 50m.

After a challenging 2017, veteran forward Mark LeCras looked in slick touch alongside trimmed down goalsneak Willie Rioli.

"(Rioli) pretty much tore the hamstring off the bone last year – he missed 10 to 12 weeks of football – Willie's had a really good break, really good pre-season, he's in pretty good nick," Simpson said.

"Hopefully we get some good games out of him this year."

Meanwhile, Simpson hoped fallen former captain Ben Cousins would benefit from working part-time in West Coast's community and game development department after his recent release from prison.

"It's not really my area, but any support we can give him or any past player that's in need of it, that's one thing the club are very good at and I'm not surprised at all we've offered him a job," Simpson said.

"Any way the club can help, hopefully he takes it."