THE BULLDOGS are set to welcome back a handful of injured players as they try to consolidate their first top-four finish since 1999.

Shaun Higgins, who has not played since March, will return for Williamstown in the VFL this week, while coach Rodney Eade said more players will soon be available.

 “Over the next couple of weeks we’ll probably get four or five players back,” Eade said.

“Tim Callan will probably be right the week after, Scott West is probably only two or three weeks away…so having those players back will give us further depth… it’s a real positive for us.”

Eade said Tom Williams, who has been out with a shoulder injury, could return for the Dogs' round 16 clash against Geelong.

“He’s a good chance next week – if not, certainly the week after,” Eade said.

Higgins underwent an ankle reconstruction after he dislocated and fractured his ankle, tore several ligaments and damaged bone and cartilage in the Bulldogs' round two win over Melbourne.

Despite his long absence, Eade said the 20-year-old was still in the squad’s best 22.

“When he’s at his best (he is). He’s had a fairly serious operation. He’s worked hard, and his fitness is pretty good from an outsider's point of view.

"But he’ll certainly need a few games, three or four I would have thought, to get himself back to any sort of match fitness. Then it will be just on form.”