PREMIERSHIP Western Bulldog Jordan Roughead will be sidelined for at least eight weeks after having surgery on his hamstring.

Roughead had the surgery on Monday night after he was cleared of a serious knee injury. The ruckman injured his leg during the Dogs' JLT Community Series loss to Melbourne at Whitten Oval on Saturday.

The ruckman crumpled after a centre-bounce contest late in the first quarter.

Club physio Chris Bell told westernbulldogs.com.au: "Jordan sustained a hamstring tendon injury to the area the tendon inserts on the back of his knee, during a ruck contest on the weekend and has subsequently undergone surgery.

"We expect he'll resume full training in approximately eight weeks."

After remaining tight-lipped following scans on Sunday, Roughead was a no-show at a light training session on the club's community camp in Ballarat on Monday.

Roughead played 25 games in 2016, his highest total in a season, and recorded career highs in disposals, contested possessions, contested marks, goals, goal assists, inside 50s and tackles. 

Draftee Tim English looms as the likely replacement for Roughead, after impressing all at Whitten Oval since the he was taken in the first round of last year's NAB AFL Draft.

The West Australian could partner Tom Campbell in the club's next pre-season encounter against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on March 2.

The Bulldogs' performance manager Chris Maple said: "Timmy English has done really well on the track."

"We've obviously got a lot of ruckmen on the list, but he's going well."

Maple also forecast 2016 second-round pick Patrick Lipinski could also see senior action in the coming weeks.