WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Lukas Webb is free of the neck brace that he has been forced to wear for the last six months and will soon resume the process of returning to full football activity.

However, key forward Tom Boyd's recovery from a lingering back injury will be carefully managed and the spearhead is not able to join the main training group as yet.

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Webb's extended stay in the neck brace began in July last year after he sustained a nasty compression injury in his neck while playing in the VFL against the Casey Demons at Casey Fields. 

But, after an extensive rehab, scans have shown the injury has fully healed giving Webb the chance to progress his training further, according to medical services manager Chris Bell.

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"It's really exciting for Lukas, after being in the hard collar for the last six months," Bell told westernbulldogs.com.au. 

"Now we're able to put a plan around his return to football, and at this stage it looks like that'll happen in the next six to eight weeks."

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Webb has played 24 matches in his four seasons at the Dogs and will be looking to add to that total in 2019.

Boyd is still experiencing discomfort in his lower back which he hurt late in the 2018 season. 

Bell said he would remain in rehab for the foreseeable future.

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"Tom has continued to suffer some lower back symptoms from the injury that ended his 2018 season," Bell said.

"He's got some really good continuity in his running under his belt, but he’s unable to return back to footy loads. - Chris Bell 

"We're going to be really conservative with our management of Tom and respect his symptoms, and we’re just going to progress him when we're able to." 

As reported by AFL.com.au last week, top draftee Bailey Smith is set to soon join full training.

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Smith, pick No.7 overall in last year's NAB AFL Draft, spent time living with captain Easton Wood in his first few months at the club. 

"In his 2018 TAC Cup year Bailey had a really chronic Achilles tendon injury," Bell said.

"Since coming into our program he's been in rehab, but he's progressed really well and has been very diligent with his program.

"At this stage he's reintegrating back into our full squad, and we'll see him in full training in the next week or two."