NEWLY re-signed ruck Tim English will sit out the Western Bulldogs' crucial final-round rivalry clash with Greater Western Sydney due to an ankle injury.
English missed last week's thumping win over North Melbourne, with rejuvenated big man Rory Lobb impressing in his absence after another positional shift.
The 27-year-old didn't train at the Whitten Oval on Wednesday and Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge all but ruled English out of taking on the Giants.
"He's close," Beveridge said of English, who last week turned his back on free agency to stay with the Dogs until the end of 2029.
"Hopefully he gets a chance (to return) and we get a look by winning this weekend, but we don't anticipate he's going to be available this week."
After reviving his career by moving to defence during the past two months, Lobb returned to his roots against the Kangaroos.
The former Giants player will face up to GWS big man Kieren Briggs in their Ballarat blockbuster on Sunday.
Lobb will have a lighter week on the track after copping a heavy knock against North.
"'Lobby', he's almost got that attitude that if you cut the leg off, he'll grow it back," Beveridge said.
"I was trying to work out what sort of reptile ... whether it's a salamander, or a chameleon, or just your garden variety lizard that can do that, but that's why I love his attitude.
"He thinks he can play until he's he's old and grey, but straight away he'll declare that he's going to be OK.
"It's pretty healthy to have him with that flexibility in his game."
The Bulldogs need to beat the Giants to be guaranteed of playing in the finals, but could finish as high as fourth if Geelong and Brisbane suffered monumental upsets.
If Hawthorn, Carlton and Fremantle all win and the Bulldogs fall to the Giants, they would slip out of the top eight.
Meanwhile, injured midfielder Bailey Smith made a surprise appearance at the club this week as the 23-year-old weighs up his future.
Smith has been completing much of his recovery from an ACL operation away from the Whitten Oval.
Beveridge last week said "as time goes on, your confidence levels start to wane a little bit" when asked about Smith's future at the club.
"It's always nice having him around," Beveridge said on Wednesday of Smith.
"Because his first game back is such a long way away, there's no need for him to be here all the time.
"Obviously he's chomping at the bit to play football this time of year, so it's hard to curb his excitement levels, but it's great to see him.
"He'll be in and out (of the club) over the next period of time."
Beveridge began his press conference by paying tribute to journalist Sam Landsberger following his sudden and tragic death on Tuesday.
Landsberger was a passionate Bulldogs supporter, with his father Jake having served as the club's medical officer for many years.
"Obviously a really tragic set of circumstances, and a challenging and morbid time for the family so love to you Jake and Anne and the family, we're thinking of you," Beveridge said.
