West Coast skipper Shannon Hurn predicts Nic Naitanui will be cleared to play in round one but says fans should temper their expectations of the star AFL ruckman.

Naitanui hasn’t played since round 22, 2016 but pulled up well from a recent practice match and his knee appears ready to handle the rigours of elite football again.

But Hurn says it will take time for Naitanui to recapture his top form and fans shouldn’t expect the world in the round-one clash with Sydney on Sunday.