Young Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan is no certainty to face West Coast on Sunday after requiring scans on his knee earlier this week.
Ugle-Hagan will need to get through Friday's main session unhampered to be cleared to face the Eagles at Marvel Stadium, with veteran ruck-forward Rory Lobb likely on standby if the former No.1 pick is ruled out of Luke Beveridge's Round 3 plans.
Beveridge confirmed the young spearhead remains touch-and-go for the weekend and will need to be given the green light for selection.
"If he's comfortable and gets through the session today he'll play. If there's any concerns he won't," Beveridge told media of Ugle-Hagan on Friday.
Beveridge expressed confidence in captain Marcus Bontempelli featuring on Sunday despite a recent ankle issue that has hampered the five-time best and fairest winner.
The Dogs were forced into two changes for Round 3, with injured pair Nick Coffield (shoulder) and Ed Richards (concussion) both making way for five potential inclusions as part of Beveridge's extended 26-man squad.
Among those new names is three-time All-Australian Jack Macrae, who looms as a likely inclusion after overcoming lingering pre-season injuries before recording 47 disposals and 17 clearances in the VFL last week.
Beveridge confirmed Macrae will play against the Eagles and won't start the game as sub, with his form last weekend - coupled with the club's recent injuries - making the call one he couldn't refuse.
Macrae is also set to feature through midfield, but might not return to the same level of inside midfield action as previously seen.
"I've talked about selection integrity at different times. You can't have a player perform at the level Jack did last week and not find a spot for him, especially with two injuries," Beveridge added.
"Jack will definitely play as a midfielder. How many centre bounces he'll be in? I can't tell you. He won't be sub.
"He had a hamstring injury, he had a loading issue with his femur, he trained extremely hard in the off-season and worked himself too hard. It's just a matter of getting his match practice to a state where he's totally ready.
"Off last week's performance, we believe he is (ready).
Lobb, James O'Donnell, Riley Garcia and Taylor Duryea have joined Macrae in being named on the Dogs' eight-man interchange along with Sam Darcy, Caleb Daniel and Caleb Poulter. The club will cut its bench to five players at 5:00pm (AEDT) on Friday.
Beveridge noted Lobb is unlikely to break into the side ahead of Ugle-Hagan, Aaron Naughton and Darcy, but is pressing his case as a fringe reinforcement option.
