VETERAN defender Bob Murphy is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury late in the Western Bulldogs' 40-point win over St Kilda on Saturday afternoon at Etihad Stadium. 

Murphy, 34, hobbled to the bench in the game's dying stages and appeared dejected as he took a seat on the pine.

He didn't return to the field and was icing the back of his left leg in the rooms after the game.

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Coach Luke Beveridge said the Dogs' captain would miss some games despite the fact the team now has a weekend off with the club's bye scheduled for this week. 

"I don't know enough to give you anything about how bad it is, but obviously he has hurt it," Beveridge said. 

"I'd imagine he'll probably miss some weeks.

"Even though we've got a bye, I wouldn't think he'd be available for the Sydney game. 

"As is the way with hamstrings, it's normally at least three [weeks] these days. 

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"We'll update you as soon as we can."

The injury comes as a blow for the Dogs as they enter the bye on the winner's list after grinding out four points in a scrappy and often lacklustre encounter with the Saints.

With Travis Cloke and Jack Redpath dumped from last week's side, young beanpole Tim English brought in for his debut and fellow tall Jordan Roughead a late inclusion, Beveridge admitted the Dogs "did a lot of things differently" but felt like they "needed to in planning". 

The return of Jake Stringer from a knee injury proved a positive, with the forward kicking five goals and playing what Beveridge described as a "complete game". 

"He's played many good games but today was a great team game," he said.

"He got some reward on the scoreboard but there was a lot of sacrifice in his game, he really worked for his teammates and we were really encouraged by what he did today, especially off a bit of a break too, which isn't always easy.

"It was an outstanding performance by Jake today."

Midfielder Clay Smith was a late withdrawal with a calf injury he first felt during Friday's training session, and Beveridge said he wasn't sure how long the tough nut would miss. 

The Dogs will have a last full training session on Wednesday before four days off over the bye weekend ahead of their clash with Sydney on Thursday, June 8. 

Beveridge said Saturday's win was a good way to end the first half of the season.

"Geelong beat us quite easily before our bye [last year] and it wasn't a nice way to go out on a break," he said. 

"This is a nice time to reflect and think about the work we've put in, and how it sets us up for the back end of the year, and come back full of energy to string some wins together." 

Lachie Hunter was treated for an ankle injury in the fourth quarter but finished the game, while veteran Matthew Boyd should face the Swans after missing the last two with a shoulder. 

Cloke, Redpath and Tom Liberatore have a chance to press their case for a recall in Saturday night's VFL clash with Sandringham, but Beveridge indicated it would be tough to break into the side after its solid team performance and only Murphy a forced omission at this stage.