WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Josh Dunkley is facing six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a syndesmosis injury.
The 23-year-old sustained the high ankle sprain in the dying stages of Friday night's win over Greater Western Sydney.
The Dogs were initially hopeful Dunkley's injury will only keep him out of action for a handful of weeks, but scans have since confirmed the syndesmosis injury in his left ankle.
It is a further blow to the Dogs' midfield depth, with Lachie Hunter still suspended for the next two matches after crashing his car into four parked cars while intoxicated in April.
After getting their season back on track against the Giants to sit 1-2, the Dogs face Sydney and North Melbourne in the next two matches.