Defensive duo Hayden Crozier and Taylor Duryea could be available for Saturday night’s important clash against Carlton, however forward Billy Gowers has been ruled out through injury.

Crozier (toe) and Duryea (hip) both completed a full session today, as the Bulldogs returned from their bye break. 

Duryea last played in round four against Collingwood, while Crozier missed the match against West Coast.

The news wasn’t as good for Gowers, who sits third on the Bulldogs’ goal-kicking list in 2019, after injuring his ankle during the session.

“Both Hayden and Taylor are in the final stages of their stints in rehab,” Bulldogs’ medical services manager Chris Bell said.

“Both fully trained today and had a really good spring in their step. We’ll look to tick the final boxes with both players this Thursday, ahead of determining their return to play, which we expect will be this weekend.

“Unfortunately (Billy’s) damaged one of the ligaments in his ankle… we’re going to work with Billy over the next couple of days to determine his return to play plan.”

Veteran defender Dale Morris is also closing in on a return from his ACL injury, and is set to play over the next couple of weeks.

“Dale continues to impress on the training track,” Bell said.

“He’s in the final stages of his rehab program, and he’s currently doing high-end agility and high football-type drills.

“We need to make sure that the ACL, that we’ve managed without surgery, can sustain the demands of the game. Dale still needs to tick some boxes to prove his readiness to play, but we remain optimistic that this will happen in the next couple of weeks.”

Tall forward Josh Schache (concussion) and first-year Bulldog Ben Cavarra (hamstring) will be available to play this weekend.

* Injury list updated on Tuesday 11 June, 2019