Western Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton has avoided a significant ACL injury, with the club confirming he has instead suffered a moderate grade medical ligament injury.
The injury which he picked up in his right knee during Thursday night's 14-point loss to the Sydney Swans, is expected to see him miss between four to six weeks.
"Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton has sustained a moderate grade medial ligament injury to his right knee, scans have confirmed," the Bulldogs wrote in a statement confirming the injury.
"There has been no damage to his ACL.
"Naughton was removed from the game during the second quarter after his knee was caught in a tackle.
"The Club will work through a return to play plan in coming days but expects to be without the 24-year-old for at least the next four to six weeks."
The timing of the injury is somewhat helped by the fact the Bulldogs have a bye in the coming weeks - during Round 15.
The club have a tricky run of games ahead, though. Currently sitting in 11th place, they play the reigning premiers Collingwood Magpies next week, followed by games against the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle Dockers before having the bye in Round 15.
Those games against Brisbane and Fremantle come with all of those teams currently between 9th and 12th on the table.
The earliest Naughton may be able to return is after the bye in Round 16 against the winless North Melbourne Kangaroos. The club will then take on Port Adelaide away from home in Round 17 and Carlton Blues in Round 18.
The Bulldogs are provisionally just four points out of the top eight after their loss to the Swans, although they could slip further from the finals race by the end of the weekend.
