Josh Bruce is on track to return to availability this weekend, having made positive progress following rib damage he sustained in round five against Port Adelaide.

Bulldogs’ Head of Sports Medicine, Chris Bell, said Bruce will need to get through main training before being declared available.

“Josh has continued to make positive progress from his rib injuries – he has been fully training without contact for the last two weeks,” Bell said.

“He is chomping at the bit to get back into full training – so we will put him through contact progressions this week, and if he confidently gets through will return to availability.”

Draftee Harvey Gallagher (hamstring) will also be tested this week, while Adam Treloar (hamstring) is 1-2 weeks away.

The Bulldogs emerged from their round nine AFL match and round eight VFL match without any further injury concerns.

Injury list

Josh Bruce (ribs) – test
Harvey Gallagher (hamstring) – test
Adam Treloar (hamstring) – 1-2 weeks
Dom Bedendo (groin) – 4-5 weeks
Roarke Smith (foot) – 3-5 weeks
Riley Garcia (groin) – 3-5 weeks
Sam Darcy (lung) - TBC