Western Bulldogs defender Ryan Gardner will miss the start of the 2023 season after suffering an elbow injury during Saturday's intraclub session.

The injury in question occurred during the second quarter of the club's match simulation session in Ballarat, with Gardner requiring medical attention on his arm following a marking contest.

After spending time on the sidelines in the hands of the Bulldogs' medical staff, Gardner eventually returned to the field to play out the remaining quarters of the pre-season hitout.

The ailment has hindered Gardner's playing chances for Round 1 however, with the club confirming on Tuesday that the ley defender will be sidelined for the coming weeks.

The Western Bulldogs' sports medicine chief Chris Bell detailed the setback, with the club to further assess Gardner's fitness in the next 2-3 weeks.

โ€œRyan sustained a small crack to one of the bones in his elbow and we've decided that the best course of action to fix the injury is to undergo minor surgery,โ€ Bell said.

โ€œThis operation will repair the area of bone damage and be completed this afternoon.โ€

The injury blow adds to a frantic past few weeks at the Kennel, with Luke Beveridge to also be without utility Laitham Vandermeer (leg) and Tim O'Brien (hamstring) for the opening month of the season.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: (L-R) Anthony Scott, Ryan Gardner and Taylor Duryea of the Bulldogs celebrate during the 2021 AFL Round 01 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Western Bulldogs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Dogs duo Cody Weightman and Jason Johannisen are expected to feature in this Saturday's pre-season match against North Melbourne at Ikon Park.

The Bulldogs will then open their 2023 campaign against Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday, March 18.

Gardner recently re-signed with the Bulldogs until the end of the 2026 season.