Steven May claimed his biggest scalp for the season when he successfully checked superstar forward Lance Franklin in Sunday’s loss to Sydney, but Gold Coast’s chief backline enforcer could face another big challenge in Josh Kennedy this week.

West Coast’s power forward, who missed the Eagles’ match against Hawthorn in Launceston with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone, underwent surgery last week and has since been listed as a “test” by club medical staff.

If cleared to play, Kennedy’s return would be a massive confidence booster for an Eagles side that has struggled to put wins on the board in recent weeks and has lacked punch in the forward 50.

The first-year vice-captain has kicked 25 goals from his ten previous outings in 2014, including a competition-best 11-goal performance against Greater Western Sydney, matched only this season by Richmond’s star forward Jack Riewoldt.

May did a sterling job last time he played at Patersons Stadium when he kept quiet one of his boyhood heroes, Matthew Pavlich, in the SUNS’ loss to Fremantle.

Backman Brad Sheppard and young guns Brant Colledge and Simon Tunbridge are also to be tested later in the week.

Sheppard missed last week’s game with a corked buttock, while Colledge (hamstring) and Tunbridge (calf) are also likely to resume in the WAFL when East Perth plays South Fremantle.