THE WESTERN Bulldogs have ruled out tall defender Tom Williams for the rest of the season.

Williams, who was touted as a possible opponent for Hawthorn full-forward Lance Franklin in the finals, will undergo shoulder surgery next week.

On Monday, Williams suffered a setback with the quad injury that has kept him out for three matches, and as a result will go ahead with the shoulder operation the club had hoped to leave until the season was over.

But coach Rodney Eade was keen to underplay Williams' absence, despite the looming qualifying finals encounter with the Hawks.

"It's a bit of a blow, but I think people are making more of a kid who's 22 years of age and has played 19 games," he said on Wednesday.

"It would have helped our structure, but having said that he's only played seven or eight games this year and we have coped OK without him.

"There's a fair bit of pressure on the young lad and it's more unfortunate for him that he didn't get up.

"He was pretty devastated on Monday. I think it's the fact he's had so many injuries, and I think the best thing for him is to get his shoulder done so he can have a good pre-season and hopefully get an uninterrupted next year."

Williams joins veteran midfielder Scott West on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. West has succumbed to a long-term knee injury.

Eade said the seven-time best and fairest winner is coping well with the decision to shelve any possible comeback this year, and will step into a role assisting midfield coach Leon Cameron for round 22 and the finals.

"I was having a chat to him today and he's seems OK," he said.

"His words were, once the decision was made, it makes him feel a lot better. I think he was edgy with the way his leg was reacting to the work load, and then not knowing what was happening was just the unknown.

"But he seemed OK once the decision was made."

Eade also reiterated a decision on West's future beyond 2008 won't be made until the Dogs stop playing.

"We'll sit down at the end of the season at the appropriate time to talk about our list," he said.

"I haven't thought about it. To be honest, we're just worrying about now. That will be done at the appropriate time when the season is finished."

Eade said the side will be bolstered by the return of Lindsay Gilbee and Farren Ray, who were both late withdrawals from last Friday night's win over Essendon with illness, while Ryan Hargrave has recovered from a calf injury sustained during the game and is set to travel to Adelaide.

He also said the performance of Shaun Higgins last Friday, in what was the young forward's first senior game since round two, was heartening.

"I think it was an encouraging first up hit out," he said.

"He didn't dominate and he probably had a few chances to kick some goals, which would have put the icing on the cake for him.

"But to get 15 possessions and play 70 per cent of game time, I thought was a pleasing hit out for him.

"It gives him another chance this week and hopefully he'll be able to grab his chance for the first final, but it's going to be hot for spots."