WESTERN Bulldogs teenager Nathan Hrovat is expected to be fit for the start of the season after his cheekbone fracture was diagnosed as minor on Thursday.

Hrovat clashed heads with teammate Koby Stevens during the second quarter of Wednesday night's NAB Challenge game against St Kilda at Simonds Stadium.

The Bulldogs said scans showed the 19-year-old had a minor fracture to his right cheekbone.

West Coast hosts the Bulldogs at Patersons Stadium in round one on March 23.