THE WESTERN Bulldogs are hopeful midfielder Mitch Wallis will make an earlier than expected return from his badly broken leg. 

The 24-year-old is on the verge of returning to full training following the horrific injury sustained against St Kilda in round 18 last year.

"Mitch is almost back in full training, so he's training with the footballs and with the group," Beveridge told reporters on Thursday. 

"I think we've brought (Wallis' return date) in a little bit, we're thinking around about after the first five or six games. 

"Time will tell, but hopefully he doesn't have any interruptions between now and then." 

Wallis ran laps strongly with the rehab group prior to senior training, and didn't appear to be hampered by the injury to his left leg. 

Ruckman Jordan Roughead was also part of that group, but was restricted to light jogging and strengthening exercises on his hamstring. 

Beveridge was less specific on the 26-year-old's return. 

"'Roughy' is still a fair way away," Beveridge said. 

"It's hard to give you a read, but he's out there jogging very slowly. 

"He's come along over the last week and a half which is really promising, but he's still a long way off playing." 

Beveridge also revealed premiership forward Tory Dickson would miss Friday's season opener against Collingwood.

The sharpshooter had a delayed start to pre-season training following off-season groin surgery, and he'll play in a VFL practice match on Friday afternoon.

While Dickson and Roughead are two players from the Dogs' Grand Final winning line-up that won't face the Magpies, Beveridge revealed midfielder Josh Dunkley was only "in the mix" along with forward Stewart Crameri. 

Former Magpie Travis Cloke will make his Bulldog debut against his former side while Robert Murphy and Matt Suckling will definitely play.

"We've picked our side based on what's transpired in the pre-season and that's the way it needs to be, regardless of past performances," Beveridge said.