Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer is set for a stint on the AFL sidelines, but it's actually positive news.
When Stringer's right knee buckled under the weight of a Brandon Ellis tackle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night it was initially feared he had suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.
But the club revealed on Monday he had suffered a less serious medial ligament injury.
"Jake was involved in a tackle where his knee got twisted and caught under himself," head physiotherapist Chris Bell said.
"The mechanism of that tackle has caused Jake to damage the medial ligament in his knee.
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"We'll put a framework around Jake from a rehab sense but expect him to miss the next two to three weeks of football."
Jordan Roughead is set to make his much-anticipated return from a pre-season hamstring injury, most likely through the VFL, this weekend while Travis Cloke (ribs) and Dale Morris (broken leg) are set to resume full training next week.
Josh Dunkley struggled off the field late in the Dogs' thrilling five-point win against Richmond with a dislocated shoulder.
Scans revealed surgery is required, which will rule him out for around three months.
"We found Josh has extensive damage to the shoulder joint," Bell said.
"Without surgical reconstruction of the shoulder joint he would have recurrent dislocation.
"So we've decided to operate on Josh's shoulder, and we're optimistic he's going to return to playing before the end of the home and away season."
