West Coast coach Adam Simpson hasn't given up on Jack Darling playing for the AFL club in 2022, but concedes his hands are tied on the delicate issue.
Darling's future remains up in the air after the star forward failed to meet the AFL's vaccine mandate last month.
It means the 29-year-old is now no longer able to train with the club or participate in games.
And with Western Australia rolling out strict vaccine mandates from January 31, Darling isn't allowed to enter any public gym, given he hasn't been double jabbed.
However, there's hope that Darling will instead opt for the protein-based COVID-19 vaccine Novavax, which has been approved for use in Australia and is expected to be available later in February.
If Darling gets his first dose on February 21 and his second dose three weeks later, he will be available for training and selection from mid-March.
West Coast are due to kick off their season at home to Gold Coast on March 20.
Darling looms as a crucial figure in West Coast's premiership chances, and Simpson has his fingers crossed that the 2019 All-Australian will be available this year.
"As a coach, we're a player down and he's a pretty important player, so I hope it gets worked out," Simpson told reporters on Tuesday.
"I've texted him a couple of times, but there's not much we can do at the moment.
"My plan is to get him back.
"There's not much we can do. It's between Jack and the club and what they need to work through it. My hands are tied a little bit.
"We still care about Jack, none of that's changed."
In a bizarre twist to the saga last month, Darling denied West Coat's claim that he had failed to meet the vaccine mandate.
Instead, he said he had been diagnosed with suffering from a work-related injury and as a result he was on leave until further notice.
"It is a really complicated situation," Simpson said.
"There is obviously the mandate in place with the government and then there is what Jack is working through.
"I think it is a little bit unfair to talk to his personal situation from a medical point of view.
"But the rules are the rules in terms that you can't work unless you are vaccinated."
Eagles skipper Luke Shuey remains a chance to feature in round one despite suffering yet another hamstring setback last week.
Shuey, who has been plagued by soft tissue injuries over the past two years, tweaked a hamstring last week but scans cleared him of major damage.
The 31-year-old was able to return to running duties on Monday and it's hopeful he'll be back in full training within weeks.
"There is no surgery required. It is a hamstring injury and with his history he will take a little bit longer," Simpson said.
"He was training really well and had a really good block of training. He is still pretty upbeat and there is still plenty of time before round one."
