Simpson declared that his All-Australian winger will play if cleared by Eagles medical staff of any after effects from his sickening hit into the back of his head by Port Adelaide defender Tom Jonas last Saturday.

Gaff, 23, will continue his club-record breaking run of 113 consecutive appearances if he plays against the struggling Suns, who have lost their last six engagements at an average of 68 points after winning the opening three games of the season.

Simpson disclosed that resting any players is off his agenda while still clambering to secure critical spots in the top eight with plans of finals in September.

If Gaff is forced to sit out, it opens way for veteran all-rounder Xavier Ellis to possibly return after his recovery from a nagging Achilles heel problem. He was an emergency for last weekend's trip to Adelaide.

Simpson revealed in a radio interview with 6PR on Monday that Gaff will play if given an all-clear later this week.

A decision could be held back until as late as Sunday ahead of the game after a full eight-day recovery program for the nippy left-footer.

Simpson said all considerations on Gaff's health were in the hands of Eagles medicos in strict concussion testing procedures.

Early indications around Eagles headquarters indicate that the big possession-winning midfielder will be recovered in time to play against the Suns which are tipped to recall champion on-baller Gary Ablett.

"It's totally up to the doctors and I'm sure they won't risk him if he's not right," Simpson said.

"We're not in a position to rest players."

Simpson conceded he could consider resting important players later into the season if September appointments had been secured with enough wins to be guaranteed a finals berth.

"It's something I need to get better at down the track if you happen to get so many wins that you can rest a couple of players later in the year," he said.

"But we're certainly not in that phase."

Simpson dispensed with standard comment on forward planning and conceded that he had identified a full month in what he described as a "block of games" that were critical in his plans to make another finals campaign.

West Coast have another substantial road trip assignment against rising glamour outfit Western Bulldogs at Etihad a week after battling the Suns.

Then Adelaide awaits in Perth before battling Brisbane at the Gabba in round 13.

The Eagles could win at least three of those clashes and take their mid-season break at 9-4 or even 10-3 depending on the outcome of Simpson's planning over the next month.

He was blunt in his assessment in guarding against a potential upset against the heavily wounded Suns.

Gold Coast held on to draw against West Coast at Metricon Stadium early last August when the Eagles booted a shoddy 11.17 and the Suns also lost by just three points to a strong West Coast outfit in a NAB series engagement in Perth in early March of this year.

The Suns then pulled off a stunning 26-point win over Fremantle in Perth in round two this season.

"We've got to be careful that we don't under estimate a team that against us, has played pretty well," Simpson said.

"Our message and the way we go about it is that we do two things.

"Our goal for the season is to qualify for the finals as quick as you can, 12 wins if that guarantees you finals then you can start worrying about the next phase, so that's the first one.

"The second one for us is that we do block the season up into smaller blocks as well.

"So we're about to embark on a new block before the bye."