THE WESTERN Bulldogs' worst fears have been realised with veteran Dale Morris' fractured right arm likely to keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

The 34-year-old underwent surgery on the fractured radius bone in his forearm on Monday afternoon, and the recovery period is expected to be up to two months.

Morris sustained the injury after he fell awkwardly during a marking contest with Sun Tom Lynch during the second quarter of the Bulldogs' 54-point win over Gold Coast in Cairns on Saturday.

With the premiers sitting in 10th place, they'll need to win at least four of their remaining five home and away to extend their 2017 campaign into September, and give Morris a chance to play again this year.

Bulldogs medical services manager Chris Bell told westernbulldogs.com.au the best-case scenario for the 2011 All Australian would be a six-week layoff.

"X-rays confirmed post game that Dale fractured the radius bone in his forearm," Bell said. 

"Dale's gone in for surgery (on Monday afternoon) to have a plate and screws put into that fracture site to realign it and at this stage we’re guessing that Dale's going to miss the next six to eight weeks of footy."

Premiership defender Fletcher Roberts is a likely replacement for Morris, with twin towers Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker looming large in Sunday's critical clash with Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

The 24-year-old has struggled for form this season and has already been dropped twice, but coach Luke Beveridge doesn't have a lot options with first-choice key defender Marcus Adams unlikely to play again this year with a foot injury.

Beveridge floated second-year key defender Kieran Collins as another possibility after several weeks of solid performances in the VFL.