DALE Morris won't be considered for the Western Bulldogs' clash with Collingwood on Friday night after the veteran pulled up sore in his VFL return from a pre-season knee injury.
While Morris definitely won't face the Magpies, coach Luke Beveridge revealed high-profile recruit Josh Schache was in the mix to make his debut for the club following the key forward's nine goals in his past three outings with Footscray.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Beveridge said Morris' medial ligament was the issue, not the ACL he partially torn in February.
"He's a bit sore, so he's unlikely to be considered this week (at any level)," Beveridge said.
"He's a little bit sore in the knee, just his medial (ligament), which is a bit different and nothing major.
"He felt his way through the game, and he's been out for a while, so we've got to make sure he's totally right before we bring him into the AFL team.
"He's a chance to play (VFL) on Saturday, but we'll wait and see.
"He says he's better today than he was yesterday."
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Beveridge was far more upbeat when discussing Schache's chances of representing the club at senior level for the first time, with the 20-year-old putting himself in the selection equation with his recent state league form.
After having limited impact in the JLT Community Series and overcoming a calf injury, the former Lion has been kicking goals, and his confidence appears to be building as a result.
The No.2 pick in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft was traded to Bulldogs for picks 25 and 40 in last year's draft after battling homesickness and personal issues in his two seasons at the Gabba.
"(Josh) has had some good weeks, but the last two in particular he's been able to hit the scoreboard, so we'll definitely consider him for Friday night," Beveridge said.
"After he came back from the calf (injury), he's just built into a bit of form, and his match fitness has probably improved over the curse of the past month.
"He's pressing for selection purely on form."
Beveridge said premiership forward Tory Dickson was a chance to resume from a hamstring injury that has sidelined the 30-year-old since round five, while injury-prone key defender Marcus Adams will play his second successive match in the VFL in his return from a pre-season ankle injury.
"Tory is available, so we'll consider him at AFL level and he may get a run Friday night," he said.
"He did a big session on Saturday, and he's more than ready to play, it's just at what level.
"Marcus has pulled up OK, but it will take him a little while to find his form, I'd say."
Beveridge said star forward Liam Picken had returned to full training in his recovery from a serious concussion sustained in the pre-season, but he still couldn't put a date on the 31-year-old's return to the field.
"There's a chance he might play after the bye (in round 12), but we'll wait until we get there," Beveridge said.
"He's still getting some minor headaches, there's still some remnants from the concussion, but there are good signs he's sitting in (team) meetings and being amongst his teammates."
