West Coast’s AFL injury and suspension crisis is finally starting to ease, with Nic Naitanui leading a list of players about to return.

Coach John Worsfold said the star ruckman, along with Will Schofield, Adam Selwood and Ash Smith, should all be ready to face St Kilda in Perth on Sunday.

He expected midfielder Matt Priddis would also be fine to play, despite being subbed off with concussion in Saturday night’s big loss to Essendon, the Eagles’ first defeat of the season.

West Coast’s high injury toll – with Josh Kennedy, Andrew Embley, Mark LeCras, Mark Nicoski and Ashton Hams still sidelined – appeared to be sorely felt against the Bombers.

But while Essendon coach James Hird cautioned against getting carried away with his side’s win, given the Eagles’ depleted status, Worsfold refused to blame injuries.

“I wouldn’t say (injuries) have taken a toll, but I would say that we got outplayed,” Worsfold said.

“Essendon looked sharper and used the ball better – that was the key.”

Worsfold said while the Eagles were obviously missing some class players, that did not excuse those who were on the field from performing below their potential.

He said there were stages of the match when West Coast players lost concentration and failed to stick to team plans, allowing Essendon to seize control of the match.

“It has to be a mental failure. It has to be not really being switched on to what they were meant to be doing at that time,” Worsfold said.