West Coast forward Josh Kennedy expects either off-season recruit Alex Witherden or youngster Luke Foley to replace Shannon Hurn in the team’s backline for Friday night’s blockbuster against Collingwood.

The former West Coast captain, Hurn, looked set to break the Eagles games record against the Pies at Optus Stadium before going down with a calf injury in his side’s loss to St Kilda.

“Bunger” will have to wait until later in the season to break Dean Cox’s club record of 290 games but the soft tissue strain opens the door for fans to get their first look at former Brisbane defender Witherden.

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“Yeah, there’s (Alex Witherden) and Luke Foley who’s been in terrific form,” he told 6PR.

“The coaches will have to assess how they want to play and how they want to match-up against Collingwood.

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“Alex is ready to go, he’s had a great preseason and really moulded into the group, so exciting if he can get his first game for the club.

“When he’s got the ball in his hands he can really get some drive off half-back exactly like what Shannon does.”

Foley made his debut in round 18 against North Melbourne last season while Witherden played 59 games over the last four seasons at the Lions.

The 22-year-old would get an impressive welcome to playing in Western Australia with 60,000 fans allowed for Friday night’s showdown with Collingwood, the side that upset the Eagles at the same venue in the first week of last year’s finals.

The Eagles are now (2-2) for the 2021 season but Kennedy believes his side need to be better on the big stage this weekend to bounce back from their fade-out against the Saints.

“Look, we just couldn’t handle the pressure and were a little bit rattled on the back of that and they hit the scoreboard and obviously got the win,” he said.