TOM BOYD'S shoulder complaint is set to keep him out for at least two weeks, Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has revealed. 

After losing key playmakers Robert Murphy and Jason Johannisen to long-term injuries consecutive weeks, Beveridge said Boyd had been managing the shoulder since since February.

The 20-year-old's shoulder flared up in a ruck contest during the last quarter of the win over Carlton last weekend.

Boyd has kicked five goals while averaging 10 possessions a game in the Bulldogs' three wins and a loss to start the season.

"He had a similar episode on our community camp when we trained in Ballarat and he missed a few weeks and it's exactly the same thing," Beveridge said.

"But he came back from that and he was really strong, so we anticipate in a few weeks' time he'll be ready to resurface at AFL level.

"He's had a strong few weeks but probably wasn't at the peak of his powers last week.

"We expect him to come back in to the team pretty quickly."

With Boyd on the sidelines, Tom Campbell gets his chance after an ankle injury in the final week of the NAB Challenge scuppered a near certain round one spot.

When talk turned to the long-term injuries to Murphy and Johannisen, Beveridge insisted their absence wouldn't change his side's attacking style.

The rebounding defenders have generated plenty of drive off half-back under second-year coach's tenure, with the Dogs' 'fast footy' game plan taking them from a bottom-four side to a premiership contender.

"We're planning to play exactly the same way and the boys who will play in those roles have played them before," Beveridge said.

"We feel like we can cover it (and) we've had a good start to the year with our balance between offence and defence, and the plan will be to maintain that.

While a hamstring tear will keep Johannisen out for at least 10 weeks, Beveridge said Murphy's knee reconstruction procedure had been a success and the veteran was in good spirits. 

Goals have been hard to come by for Jake Stringer over the past fortnight, with the dynamic forward kicking only one major, compared to seven in the opening two rounds.

Beveridge believed the inclusion of goalsneak Tory Dickson, who hasn't played since week one of the NAB Challenge due to adductor and quad injuries, would benefit the 21-year-old against the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

"The expectation around Jake is not goals for us, it is many things," Beveridge said.

"I've been rapt with his start to the year and I felt his last three quarters last week were good. Obviously he's going to get a bit of attention from week to week and we just need to help him."

"Tory has been a multiple goal kicker at times and maybe (he) offsets any pressure there to kick goals (amongst the forward) group.

"We've always tried to spread our goalkicking load through as many players as we can and I think we had another 10 last week."