Adam Simpson says potential debutant Tom Barrass could be asked to step into the breach in defence if Jeremy McGovern doesn’t recover in time to face Richmond at the MCG on Friday night.

And the Eagles coach said midfielder Andrew Gaff had proved his critics wrong after hitting career-best form in the first half of the season.

McGovern hobbled his way through Saturday’s 50-point win over Essendon at Domain Stadium after sustaining a severe cork to his thigh midway through the first quarter.

The 23-year-old played with heavy strapping and was substituted out of the game at three-quarter time.

Simpson conceded McGovern, one of the league’s best intercept marks, may not be fit to take on an in-form Tigers as West Coast brace for a second straight six-day break.

Barrass, who started the season in East Perth’s reserves, was held out of the Royals’ league clash with Peel at Bendigo Bank Stadium yesterday.

The 19-year-old has impressed in seven league games for the Royals this season after struggling to overcome injuries in his first season at the Eagles. He was replaced in the East Perth side by experienced midfielder Matt Rosa, who is on the comeback from a hamstring injury.

Fraser McInnes and young defender Jackson Nelson also did not play for the Royals after being named as emergencies for the Eagles on Saturday.

The 194cm Barrass is one of the few tall defenders available on West Coast’s list not playing.

Richmond are expected to field three talls in their forward line given the success of using Jack Riewoldt, Ty Vickery and Ben Griffiths in tandem against Fremantle 10 days ago. The trio combined for seven goals in their upset win over the Dockers and will have the added advantage of a 14-day break coming off their mid-season bye.

“We’ll have to look at it for sure,” Simpson said of Barrass’ potential inclusion.

“He’s our next in line. We don’t bat too deep.”

Simpson said West Coast’s defence was pleasing him the most rather than the improved potency up forward with the successful return of Jack Darling. The strong form of Sharrod Wellingham, Brad Sheppard and Sam Butler has contributed to the Eagles conceding an average of only 68 points a game in 2015.

Gaff produced a fourth successive 30-plus possession performance on Saturday.

Simpson said the 22-year-old had answered those who had questioned his toughness.

“He’s been pretty good since I’ve been here,” Simpson said.

“I think there was a perception about Andrew when I got here that I think he’s proved a few people wrong.

“He gets run-withs most weeks and still finds the ball and contributes in different ways as well.”