THE WESTERN Bulldogs will be without star playmaker Luke Dahlhaus for Saturday night's top-four clash with Geelong after scans revealed he sustained a strained medial ligament in the win over Port Adelaide. 

The midfielder hurt his left knee when teammate Tom Campbell fell into his legs during the first quarter of the clash with the Power. 

Bulldogs football manager Graham Lowe said the 23-year-old would spend the next few weeks in a brace.

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"He's going to be in a brace for the next three weeks and we'll reassess him once that brace has been removed with a view to progressing his training and we'll update with a return to play from there."

It's just another big hole coach Luke Beveridge has to fill after the Dogs have suffered their fair share of injuries this season.

The former rookie was having a career-best season and should be in All Australian selectors' thoughts after averaging 25 disposals and five tackles a game in 2016.

Meanwhile, All Australian defender Easton Wood is expected to miss at least another week with ongoing hamstring issues.

In better news for the Dogs, key defender Marcus Adams could be right to help contain Cats' star Tom Hawkins at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night after withdrawing from last weekend's game with a ankle injury.

It had been reported that first-year sensation had missed with an illness.

"Despite reports, Marcus rolled his ankle, a minor injury, during (training) on the Friday afternoon before the game," Lowe said.

"He's come in well this week and our expectation is that if he ticks all the right boxes and he progresses through training he'll be available for selection this weekend."

In further positive news, Lowe said the club expects to welcome back several players following the bye, including speedy half-back Jason Johannisen and rugged midfielder Koby Stevens.

"(Jason), Luke Goetz, Koby Stevens and Roarke Smith are all going to be available based on their current training projections for selection after the bye," Lowe said.

Midfielder Clay Smith has pulled up well after a best-on-ground performance in the VFL – his first game since rupturing his ACL for the third time in round six last year.