Western Bulldogs youngster Joel Freijah has been dropped from the senior side ahead of Sunday's clash with Gold Coast at People First Stadium.
Freijah needs a "circuit breaker", according to Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge, after a quiet month by his lofty standards.
"It's been challenging for him," Beveridge said on Friday.
"He's named in the squad at the moment. I'm happy to say that he's likely to be an emergency this week."
In the last month, Freijah has played under 80 per cent game time, and has been uncharacteristically ineffective with his ball use.
Last week, the 20-year-old gathered 12 disposals in the close win over West Coast, but went at 58.3 per cent effectiveness.
Beveridge recalled Nick Coffield, Ryley Sanders, Tim English, Oskar Baker, Riley Garcia and Will Lewis to the extended 26-man squad.
Ruckman English is tipped to return on Sunday, pending he gets through training.
"He seems to be pretty good. He'll train today. Hopefully get through and plays Sunday," Beveridge said.
"He's a bit more advanced than last week. This week, the probability is more heavily in favour of him playing.
"I think it's the combat component of his role. You can't go into a game being subdued by your own frailty. If there's any questions over him being able to come up and compete, then we won't play him. But we feel pretty confident he's pretty close to 100 per cent."
Bailey Dale (injured), Luke Cleary and Luke Kennedy are all out.
Dale's absence has left a great void in the club's defence, as well as the attacking flair from the back half.
"We haven't been a great rebounding side. We're a good kick-in scoring side. We're one of the best," Beveridge said.
"But when it comes to the turnover game, and how you transition off turnover, we haven't been one of the better teams. But when it's in Bailey's hands, you feel a bit more confident.
"We'll need to do things differently on a couple of fronts this week."
The final teams for Sunday's clash will be revealed at 5pm (AEST) on Friday.
