West Coast coach Adam Simpson has confirmed veteran forward Jack Darling is fit to take on North Melbourne on Saturday.

Darling had been battling an ankle injury sustained in match simulation last month and looked to be racing the clock to be fit.

But he will take his place in the 22 alongside the returning Oscar Allen as part of a new-look forward line that includes debutant Noah Long.

Darling arrived at the airport alongside wingman Andrew Gaff, with third tall Jake Waterman the noticeable absentee.

Ruckman Bailey Williams has overcome a hamstring injury and will play, while captain Luke Shuey is fit and set to spend plenty of time in defence.

Connor West, Xavier O’Neill and Alex Witherden were among the players who aren’t first-choice regulars to board the flight to Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.

“Bailey’s had a minor hamstring couple weeks ago. And we were been a bit short against Adelaide in particular, we were a bit lighter on for tall. Just had a cluster (of injuries),” Simpson said.

While West Coast will be without midfield bull Elliot Yeo for the game, Simpson indicated Norm Smith medallist Shuey would likely still feature more in defence than in the engine room.

“We’re still working through that. It’s what his body can handle, what the game is telling us and where we need him,” Simpson said.

“We’ve actually liked him down back, he’s done some good things.

“I think he had 20 odd touches against Adelaide in three quarters, a lot of it was across half back so we’ll still explore that at stages.”