THE WESTERN Bulldogs are prepared to gamble on the match fitness of Tom Williams late this season in a bid to have the big defender back in the side for finals.

Williams, 19, has battled injuries for the majority his three-and-a-half year career, and has been restricted to six games this year owing to thigh and shoulder problems.

On the weekend, the unlucky defender strained his 'other' thigh while playing in the VFL, with the injury likely to sideline him for at least three weeks.

However, with an almost certain qualifying final match with Hawthorn looming, the Dogs are determined to get Williams back into the side to combat Hawthorn’s potent attacking structure.

"The medical people are saying he might be able to play round 21 but more than likely round 22," coach Rodney Eade said on Wednesday.

"It's tight, but we're more than likely to play him straight in the seniors in round 22."

Williams has played just 19 games in his short career after battling lengthy problems with his ankle followed by this year's spate of complaints.

"You feel for him, because his injuries have been anything but minor," Eade said.

"He's more than frustrated, and he's got himself down. He was very upset on the weekend, but the scan and prognosis is a lot better than we thought it would be, so that gives him some hope.

Eade also said the club is still optimistic veteran midfielder Scott West will play a part in the Dogs' finals campaign, despite the fact his VFL return has been put back a week owing to a minor setback.

"He won't play VFL this week. He will probably play the week after, so that will give him one or two at Williamstown, and then maybe one or two in the seniors before the finals," he said.

"He had a bit of pain last week and had an arthroscope, which put him back one week.

"The scan and the scope showed that the crack he's got there is great, and it couldn't have been a better scan, so they couldn't understand where the pain was coming from.

"The arthroscope said the bone underneath is still a little bit soft, but he can't do any more damage to it so he's just got to get through that pain barrier, and he's a very tough individual.

"Having the investigation has just put him back one week, and he's running today."

Eade said young forward Shaun Higgins will require another few weeks in the VFL after a slight mishap in his third game back from an ankle injury.

"Unfortunately Shaun got an impingement in his ankle on the weekend and only played one and a half quarters," he said.

"Not that that has put him back at all, but he'll need another game or two.

"As a younger player, he's needing longer than say Scott West would to get that fitness base up."