PREMIERSHIP ruckman Jordan Roughead might not be available until mid-season, with the Western Bulldogs taking a conservative approach with his rehabilitation in the wake of his "rare" hamstring injury.

The 26-year-old was originally expected to miss the first month of the season following the mishap in the JLT Community Series, but it appears now he'll miss at least another five weeks.

The tendon injury is so uncommon it was the first time leading orthopedic surgeon David Young had performed the procedure.

Coach Luke Beveridge said the Dogs wouldn't be taking any risks with the versatile big man.

"[He'll] probably [return] about round seven or eight, we're thinking," Beveridge said.

"It's a different injury with those tendons ripped off the bone.

"It's so rare that David Young, with all the operations and surgery that he's done over the years, I think this is the first one of this kind.

"We'll make sure that we dot our i's and cross our t's in preparing him to play again, so (his rehabilitation) might be a bit longer than it needs to be."

Roughead has progressed from strengthening exercises to running and cross training, but he is still part of a shrinking rehabilitation group at Whitten Oval.

Mitch Wallis has joined full training in his return from a badly broken leg, and could play in the Dogs' VFL season opener on April 14.

The Good Friday clash could also see draftee ruckman Tim English (shin soreness) and second-year key defender Kieran Collins (knee) return from stints on the sidelines.

Goal sneak Tory Dickson is still 2-3 weeks away with an abdominal complaint, while veteran defender Dale Morris is progressing well from a fractured leg that will see him miss at least the next six weeks.

A return date for key forward Jack Redpath is still unclear, but the 26-year-old has been training strongly in his return from an ACL tear.

Returning star Mitch Wallis at training on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images