WEST Coast's depleted forward line has taken another hit with key forward Josh Kennedy needing surgery and set to miss up to 12 weeks.

Kennedy suffered the injury in a marking contest during the second quarter of the Eagles' clash with Richmond on Sunday, and will undergo surgery later in the week to stabilise the joint.

"There will be a six to eight-week recovery period before he can begin rebuilding his fitness base to play at AFL level," the Eagles' website reported.

Kennedy was forced to battle through the injury briefly on Sunday after the Eagles activated their substitute in the first quarter to replace injured key defender Mitch Brown (eye).
 
However, the club said he did no further damage to the ankle by attempting to continue, finishing with three disposals and one goal from 62 per cent game time.

It is another cruel blow to the Eagles' forward line, already missing star Mark LeCras for the season and Mark Nicoski sidelined indefinitely.

Half-forward Andrew Embley is months away from a return with a dislocated shoulder.