Hard-running midfielder Mark Hutchings will return to senior football on Saturday night after working his way into fitness and form at East Perth in the last month.

Hutchings, 23, had a delayed start to the season because of a groin injury, but has been impressive at the Royals and will add some midfield grunt to the team that plays Gold Coast Suns at Domain Stadium on Saturday evening.

The return of Hutchings at the expense of rookie defender Jackson Nelson was the only change to the team that scored a terrific victory over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval last Sunday.

Team: View the full 22-man line-up

Nelson was played as the substitute player in the game, coming onto the ground 10 minutes into the last quarter and had little opportunity to impact.

Because he had been rested the week before against GWS, he has effectively played 20 minutes of football in the last fortnight and the match committee felt he would be best served playing a full game at East Perth.

Nelson, before being rested, had played in all of the club’s pre-season matches as well as the first four rounds of the season proper.

Preview: Eagles v Suns

The emergencies for Saturday night are tough utility player Pat McGinnity, young ruckman Scott Lycett and former Carlton midfielder Kane Lucas.

Unfortunately, experienced wingman Matt Rosa suffered a setback in his return to senior football after missing two games with a hamstring.

He has re-injured the muscle and is still being assessed in terms of how long he is expected to be sidelined with the latest flare-up.