PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Elliot Yeo of the Eagles looks to handball during the round one AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Sydney Swans at Optus Stadium on March 25, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

West Coast midfielder Elliot Yeo has been ruled out of the Eagles' Round 1 clash with North Melbourne this Saturday due to a calf setback, with his timeline for return uncertain.

Yeo, who, to this point, had pieced together a solid pre-season, will miss his side's campaign opener after recent scans revealed the ailment.

Eagles football boss Gavin Bell preached caution with Yeo's injury, acknowledging the exceptional pre-season he'd had to date.

"While it is disappointing for Elliot and the club that he won't play against North Melbourne, we are taking a no-risk approach with a full season ahead of him," Bell said in a club statement.

"As our senior coach Adam Simpson has mentioned previously, it is not unexpected that some players returning from long-term injury issues could face some hurdles on their paths back to playing regular senior football.

"Encouragingly, Elliot has enjoyed an excellent pre-season to this point. We are optimistic this is only a minor speed bump and expect he will be back in action soon."

It's certainly not the news Eagles fans wanted to hear on the eve of the new season, particularly after last year's horrid fortune when the club was consistently decimated by COVID and injury en route to a second-last ladder finish.

Veteran ruckman Nic Naitanui will also be absent for Saturday's clash as a result of a persisting Achilles injury.

Yesterday, West Coast announced three debutants for their tone-setting Round 1 bout with Alastair Clarkson's Roos, confirming 2021 draftee Campbell Chesser, 2022 top-ten choice Reuben Ginbey, and fellow 2022 draftee Noah Long will all represent the Eagles at the senior level for the first time.

Meanwhile, the Roos have announced a debutant of their own for the clash: top-end selection Harry Sheezel, who impressed across multiple roles for the Shinboners during the pre-season.

The remainder of the two squads will be announced on Thursday evening.

West Coast will meet North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, March 18 (1:45 PM AEDT).