2016 premiership coach Luke Beveridge has stated that key midfielder Adam Treloar's return from injury had been stifled.
After suffering a syndesmosis injury during the Bulldogs big win against the Saints in Round 10, the 28-year-old has been left sidelined.
Speaking on Thursday morning at the Whitten Oval, Beveridge stated that the the former Magpie and Giant had faced a few hiccups since going under the knife in May.
"It's taking a little bit more time and the important thing with Adam is he's going to be with us for a long time, so we just keep an open mind," he said.
Although Beveridge had his fingers crossed that Treloar would return to the park this year, the 50-year-old Pup's pedagogue conceded that the new recruit faced an up-hill battle.
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"We hope to get him back towards the end of the year and if for some reason that doesn't happen and it's going to take a little bit more time, it's not going to be a major issue," Beveridge said.
"It's a possibility (that he doesn't return this season)."
The head coach did continue to say that he held an optimistic view of the situation and that the club had a great track record of rehabilitating players who have suffered the same ailment.
"These syndesmosis injuries are obviously significant and some (players) come back really quickly," he explained.
"Libba (Tom Liberatore) came back after about five weeks, which was probably a bit too early, in '16, but hasn't had any ill-effects, whereas sometimes your body reacts to surgery in different ways.
"Sometimes you have a bit more swelling or inflammation and it can take a little bit more time to get back on your feet.
"Adam's experiencing some of that and, as much as he'll be frustrated with it, we've just got to reassure him that we're not going to rush him and he's got to be 100 per cent."
Treloar has laced the boots for his third club on 10 occasions this season and has only tasted defeat once.
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With fellow Bulldogs Stefan Martin, Easton Wood, Ryan Gardiner and Treloar's 'bromance' partner Josh Dunkley all hampered with injury, the club's former clean bill of health has been tarnished in recent months.
Although the 'Sons of the West' currently hold an 11-3 record this season and sit on the ladder's second run with an astronomical percentage of 148.6%, if a majority of these names can't find their way back into the senior squad by September, it could limit the damage the Dogs can inflict at the business end of the season.
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