PREMIERSHIP Bulldog Tory Dickson could miss round one for a second successive year following off-season groin surgery.

The 29-year-old has just completed the final stages of rehabilitation for the injury that has seen him unavailable for all three of the reigning premier's JLT Community Series matches.

Dickson, who has returned to full training, will be considered for Footscray's VFL practice match against Richmond on Friday night.

The Whitten Oval hit-out is the only game Dickson will have to prove his fitness ahead of the Bulldogs' opening round blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG on Friday March 24.

The sharpshooter's 2016 campaign didn’t begin until round five due to adductor and quad complaints.

Dickson has become an important cog in the Bulldog machine over the past two seasons, kicking 90 goals and providing intense forward pressure.

He could join ruckman Jordan Roughead as premiership players unavailable for the start of the club's flag defence.

Roughead is likely to be sidelined until round five with a hamstring injury sustained in the club's opening JLT hit-out with Melbourne.

With fellow ruckman Tom Campbell unlikely to be fit for the season opener after sustaining an ankle injury, it could see impressive draftee Tim English receive a baptism of fire against the Magpies.

The 19-year-old acquitted himself well in the loss to the Brisbane Lions last week, with coach Luke Beveridge admitting he may have no choice but to play the lightly built West Australian.

English will get another chance to impress in the Bulldogs' final JLT clash against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Thursday night.