Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has said his star ruckman Tim English is "unlikely" to return for Sunday's clash against a red-hot Melbourne.
After suffering a head knock in the Bulldogs' two-point victory over Port Adelaide in Round 9, Beveridge revealed that fans might not see the All-Australian ruck return until Round 13.
"Tim is probably another week away, just being conservative with him, he is unlikely to play this week," Beveridge said on Thursday.
"He is pretty good, we have always been a cautious bunch when it comes to affairs of the cranium. We are just going to make sure he is going to be okay. I think all the cognitive tests the players do we will follow through on those boxes and hopefully he is all clear.
"Hopefully, if he is not next week he should be the week after.
"We are expecting James O'Donnell to be available."
On a positive note for those at The Kennel, star forward Cody Weightman appears nearly ready for his long awaited return after spending 19 months on the sidelines.
An apparent personal favourite of Beveridge, the seasoned coach said he was excited to see Weightman take to the field soon.
"Cody we think he is a bit of a chance next week," he said.
"He is just such a special player isn't he? I had a really good chat with him the other day and I was telling him my regard for him. I was reinforcing all the things I have said about him over his journey, he obviously hasn't played for a long time, but he is one of those players where if you are thinking about him (playing) state league footy, is that the right place for him to start?
"There's a little bit of water to go under the bridge as far as his return.
"What Nick Stone and all our medical crew do as far as our return to play program goes, they do a remarkable job of preparing the players to play at least 75 per cent game time when they return and he will be in that boat. We just have to work out what level it is and if it's not next week, without any hiccups, it will almost definitely be the week after."
After a disappointing loss to Carlton last Saturday, Beveridge is turning his attention to his former apprentice and now coach of Melbourne Steven King.
The Dees coach spent seven seasons under Beveridge from 2015 till 2021. Playing a key part in the Bulldogs drought-breaking premiership.
Beveridge said he has been impressed by how his former assistant has revitalised Melbourne.
"Kingy' and I spent half a dozen years together and he gave outstanding service here as a midfield and ruck coach at times," he said.
"When you think about some of the versatility within their team and how he has changed some of the roles that some of the players have undertaken, it's impressive.
"We are up against team that is the sum of its parts and it's a credit to King and what they have been able to do to this point in time. They have beaten Gold Coast, beaten Brisbane, beaten Hawthorn, so they have got some pretty serious scalps along the way, so we respect that and hopefully we can lower their colours this week."
