WESTERN Bulldogs forward Tom Boyd remains some way from returning to the senior team as he deals with clinical depression, coach Luke Beveridge says.
Boyd, 21, took a leave of absence earlier this month to deal with mental health issues but trained last Tuesday as he works his way back into the club.
Beveridge said at Whitten Oval on Saturday he was unsure when the premiership player would be available to play.
"The contact hours are scaling up but he's probably a fair way off now, because he's missed a bit of footy and he missed some training," Beveridge said.
"As far as my personal contact, it's mainly when he's here at the club. He needs his space at the moment and time to figure out his journey in life as much as in footy.
"The medium-term forecast around footy is a bit uncertain. I couldn't tell you whether he's going to play at VFL level next week (or) the week after. We've just got to work through Tom's situation with him over the ensuing weeks."
Boyd has played 11 matches this season and booted seven goals, while also spending time in the ruck.
Meanwhile, his namesake Matthew Boyd is out of the side to face Carlton at the MCG on Sunday afternoon with an Achilles complaint. The veteran is also likely to miss next week's clash against Gold Coast.
"It's just crept up and fired up on him after a heavy deck over in Adelaide," Beveridge said of Boyd's injury.
Easton Wood will miss through suspension while premiership players Clay Smith and Fletcher Roberts have been dropped.
Skipper Robert Murphy returns from a hamstring injury while Shane Biggs is back after a calf complaint. Bailey Williams returns to the side and Lewis Young will make his debut.
Young is a key defender who stands 197cm. At 18 years and 207 days, he is the youngest player in the competition.
"He's got great courage and covers the ground pretty well for a big bloke. Seems to be a very even temperament and he's a great listener and wants to learn and improve really, really quickly," Beveridge said.
"His self-awareness around his own performance has been unbelievably impressive. To hear the way he talks about what he feels like he needs to improve on and what he feels like he's doing well, he breaks down his game like an experienced player."
Drafted with pick No.49 last year, he has done plenty of work with assistant coaches Rohan Smith, Jordan Russell and Steve Grace and adds height to the Dogs' backline.
Lewis Young will make his debut for the Bulldogs on Sunday. Picture: AFL Photos
At 7-8 and in 11th spot, the Dogs' premiership defence could be in tatters if they lose their fifth game in six matches.
A key factor in righting their record will need to be Norm Smith medallist Jason Johannisen, who earlier this week recommitted to the club until the end of 2022.
Taggers have been able to restrict the 24-year-old's influence, but Beveridge supported Johannisen's recent form.
"I've been surprised how he's handled playing without a contract beyond this year, because there's a lot of pressure there and there's no security around injuries. I've been really surprised," Beveridge said.
"Until he's recently had the attention that he's had, he was really having a boom year and improved again.
"I think people don't understand, last week he made two v ones, he played on Eddie Betts – Eddie was still influential at times – he played on (Charlie) Cameron and he allowed Matt Suckling probably to be our best player.
"He's been able to sacrifice his game for the good of the team in recent times."
