AFTER fears Western Bulldog Tom Liberatore had re-ruptured his ACL in his right knee, the midfielder could be back in as little as a month.

The 27-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on Monday to repair cartilage damage.

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He is facing four to six weeks on the sidelines after the injury, which occurred when he changed direction while chasing Carlton's Kade Simpson in the second quarter of Saturday night's three-point win. 

"The arthroscopic surgery on Tom's knee went according to plan," Western Bulldogs medical services manager Chris Bell told the club website. 

"He will now undergo a period of rehabilitation to prepare him to return to play, and we anticipate he will be available to return in four to six weeks."

Liberatore tore the ACL in his right knee at the start of 2018 and missed the entire season.

The Bulldogs have a relatively healthy injury list, missing only Dale Morris (knee), Fergus Greene (shoulder), Billy Gowers, Mitch Wallis and Lukas Webb (all ankle injuries).

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