WESTERN Bulldogs key defender Marcus Adams' terrible run with injury has continued, with a serious ankle sprain expected to see him sidelined until mid-season.

The 24-year-old sustained the high-grade syndesmosis injury during match simulation at Whitten Oval on Friday, and the latest setback comes off the back of two serious foot injuries in his first two years at the Dogs. 

A fractured finger early in 2016 also played a part in the West Australian only playing 21 games for the club. 

With Adams expected to be unavailable for 10-12 weeks, it may force coach Luke Beveridge to abort his plan of playing captain Easton Wood in attack and return the All Australian defender to his inexperienced backline. 

However, the Bulldogs do have some cover in their key defensive stocks, with premiership stopper Fletcher Roberts, and youngsters Lewis Young and Kieran Collins, all options to replace Adams. 

Former Port Adelaide big man Jackson Trengove could also be considered, but the versatile 27-year-old has impressed with his competitiveness and physicality in the ruck and up forward.    

The Dogs' medical room has been busy of late, with midfielder Liam Picken in doubt for round one with concussion and veteran defender Dale Morris set for a mid-season return after sustaining a partial tear of his ACL at training recently.