Canterbury hooker Michael Lichaa will miss four NRL matches with a knee injury.
The Bulldogs rake suffered the setback in Friday night's win over Manly, and will require an arthroscope to clean out the minimal damage sustained before he limped off midway through the second half.
The month-long layoff will come as a relief to the 22-year-old who was facing the prospect of a season-ending injury.
It would have been a bitter blow for the former Cronulla No.9, who was returning from major ankle surgery last August.
At that time he was replaced by back-up dummy-half Damien Cook, however he was released to South Sydney during the off-season after impressing during the finals series.
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The Bulldogs have named former St George Illawarra No.9 Craig Garvey in Lichaa's place for Thursday night's match against Penrith.
