West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says he won’t demand an answer or lay out a deadline for out-of-contract co-captain Oscar Allen to determine his future beyond this season.

Allen is a restricted free agent and has been linked to a move to several rival clubs including Brisbane and Hawthorn, in the wake of meeting with Hawks coach Sam Mitchell in Perth earlier this year.

It led to Allen taking time away from the footy club before returning as a defender as he tried to discover his best form after an indifferent start to the season.

Allen has turned his form around in recent weeks after a return to the forward line, booting a season-high four goals in the absence of spearhead Jake Waterman as the Eagles pushed a powerhouse Geelong at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.

Should Allen leave, the Eagles are likely to get a priority-one compensation. It means if West Coast remain in 18th position, they would hold the first two picks in this year’s draft.

McQualter said he would not push Allen into giving him an answer on his future despite the uncertainty around the star forward.

“There’s no timeframe. We’re working closely with Oscar and his management crew and our list management, but there’s no timeframe,” he said.

“He’s doing a terrific job, he’s leading our team very well. He probably played his best game for the year last week and he’s in a good space.

“So we’ll just keep working with him.”

Former Eagle and Hawthorn premiership star Xavier Ellis questioned why West Coast were continuing to play Allen if he was unlikely to be at the club next year.

“The Eagles need to seriously consider what they are doing with Oscar Allen, because right now pick 2 in this year’s draft represents the $120,000 offer for the car,” Ellis wrote in a column for The West Australian last month.

“What happened to Jake Waterman (against Adelaide) could easily have been Oscar Allen.”

Allen had scoffed at suggestions of sitting out games when asked about the prospect last month.

“That’s clearly not going to happen. I’m going to play this week and I’ll play the rest of the year,” Allen said on Mix94.5.

“I’m the captain of the footy club, alongside Duggo (Liam Duggan), and I want to win games of footy.”