AFTER losing two key players to suspension, the Western Bulldogs will also be without tall defender Marcus Adams for Sunday's clash with GWS.

The first-year sensation's finger fracture has healed slower than expected and he would have been an important inclusion to combat in-form Giants' key forwards Jeremy Cameron, Jonathan Patton and Rory Lobb.

The news is a big blow for the Bulldogs after both Matthew Boyd (striking) and Jack Redpath (kneeing) received one-match penalties from the Match Review Panel on Monday. 

Adams was expected to miss only one week with the finger injury sustained in the round six win over Adelaide, but Bulldogs football manager Graeme Lowe said the 22-year-old was progressing well.

“He won’t be available, so he’ll miss this week, but we’ll review his progress next week,” Lowe told westernbulldogs.com.au.

With Adams unavailable to confront the Giants, it may force Luke Beveridge to play versatile big man Jordan Roughead down back and open the door for veteran ruckman Will Minson to play his first senior game since last year's elimination final loss to Adelaide.

The 31-year-old was one of the Dogs' best the last time the two sides met, dominating Shane Mumford in round nine last year.

The backline injury curse at Whitten Oval has claimed another victim with Zaine Cordy injuring an ankle at training last week and he is expected to miss up to a month of football.

In better news for the Dogs, rugged midfielder Koby Stevens is a chance to return for the Spotless Stadium clash after missing the past fortnight with an abdominal strain.

“He’s back into full training and he’ll have to tick the appropriate boxes this week to make himself available for selection,” Lowe said.

Key forward Tom Boyd could be a replacement for Redpath with the 20-year-old's injured shoulder to be tested later in the week.

And after three knee reconstructions in as many seasons, midfielder Clay Smith has returned to full training.

A return date for the luckless 23-year-old is yet to be set.