West Coast is likely to welcome back star defender Jeremy McGovern for Saturday night’s clash with Adelaide at Domain Stadium.

McGovern was a late withdrawal from the Eagles’ eight-point loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday due to a viral infection, but coach Adam Simpson anticipates the defender will be right to return against the Crows this weekend.

Simpson admitted losing the defender pre-game hurt his side’s chances against the Dogs, particularly in the air.

“No one has their best 22 playing,” Simpson said.

“(He) would have been handy though. We did let some marks...they took 17 marks inside 50 and four or five of them were almost uncontested in a pack situation.”

The 24 year-old is among the best one-on-one defenders in the AFL and has lost just one of his 31 contests against a direct opponent. The return of McGovern could be critical to the Eagles’ hopes this weekend against an Adelaide attack ranked No.1 in the AFL.

If McGovern does prove his fitness, it will be the first time he has faced his younger brother Mitch on the AFL stage.

Ruckman Nic Naitanui is also expected to play despite breaking his nose against the Bulldogs last weekend.

“If he has to wear a mask, he’ll wear one, but people play with broken noses all the time,” Simpson said.