Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has told Bailey Smith to let his football do the talking as the star midfielder seeks to repay his teammates in his return against St Kilda.

Smith has missed the Bulldogs' past four matches through suspension over separate headbutting and illicit drug use incidents.

The Dogs have fallen out of the top eight in that time, with losses in their last two outings against Brisbane and Sydney.

Friday night's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium is not far off being a virtual elimination final, with both sides desperate to keep their realistic top-eight hopes alive.

Smith's immediate return after serving successive two-match bans will add much-needed grunt to the Dogs' engine room.

"He's in a good head space, he's looking forward to getting back out and playing a game with his teammates," Beveridge told media on Wednesday morning.

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Luke Beveridge | 'We believe our system and methodology is there'

Luke Beveridge speaks to the media ahead of the Round 18 clash with St Kilda.

"I think he's managed it (the time out) extremely well and it will be great to have him back in the team.

"Bailey's the type of competitor that turns up early to games and winds himself up and absolutely wants to be the best player out there for his club and his teammates.

"He's just a fierce competitor, so my conversation with him was more around discipline and making sure that he plays his best footy within the rules and (making sure) that we don't lose him again."

Beveridge expects Smith will be driven by the pursuit of redemption in his comeback.

"I can't speak for him but the way he thinks, he really cares about his club and his teammates, and I think there will be an element of that as he goes into this game," Beveridge said.

"Maybe off the back of the last two weeks, which have been pretty lean for us, especially last week, he'll feel like he could've made a difference. That will be part of it."

As well as Smith, the Bulldogs could be boosted by the return of Josh Bruce for his first senior match of the season.

The key forward took another step in his recovery from a long-term knee injury by kicking 4.5 in the VFL last week.

A five-day break between matches may count against Bruce at selection.

Beveridge expects fellow goalkicker Aaron Naughton to overcome a sore knee, while Anthony Scott (concussion) will miss at least one match.