Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge is hoping star Marcus Bontempelli is back in action in Round 6, as the captain continues to make strides in his recovery from a calf injury.
Bontempelli was struck with the injury in the Bulldogs' pre-season match against Hawthorn, and was set for a sideline stint of six weeks to begin the season. The complaint followed a string of injuries to Bulldogs personnel, with Liam Jones sidelined for the opening three weeks while Adam Treloar has yet to return from his respective calf concern.
Following strong running on the track and a "decent" upcoming training session this weekend, Beveridge is hopeful that the midfielder will be out on the field on Sunday week.
"Yeah, he is (a realistic option for Round 6)," Beveridge said.
"We're hoping he'll play next week so he'll have a pretty decent session on Saturday with the boys who don't come to Adelaide, and we're hoping he's able to play on Easter Sunday next week."
Beveridge also commented on a couple of players pressing for selection following Oskar Baker's one-week suspension.
Sidelined veteran Taylor Duryea has been out of the side with general soreness, while Harvey Gallagher could be elevated from the substitution role that the 21-year-old held in Round 4.
The Bulldogs announced earlier that small forward draftee Cooper Hynes will make his debut on Saturday, but are yet to confirm whether he will hold the sub role.
"We've got a number of options there," Beveridge said.
"There are a couple of boys, Taylor Duryea's had a couple of weeks off now.
"I think Taylor will train today, and we've got a player or two (to watch). Harvey Gallagher came on as a sub, so do we fill that sub with someone else and Harvey plays as a starting back?
"So there's some options there and we'll get through training and see who comes up."
Selection is announced at 6:20pm (AEST) on Thursday, with the final 23 to be announced an hour before the Dogs face the Lions at Norwood Oval.
