Emerging ruck-forward Tim English will not be a definite starter this weekend, according to Western Bulldogs senior coach Luke Beveridge.  

English suffered a concussion in the round six win over the GWS Giants, and was subsequently forced to sit out of last weekend’s loss to Richmond.

Beveridge said there are still a few boxes that need to be ticked off before English can return to the line-up.

He said Josh Schache had shown some pleasing signs in English’s absence last week.

“We’ll be cautious with (Tim) – if there’s any indication that he may need another week then we just won’t play him - he’s not a walk-up to definitely start this week,” Beveridge told media on Thursday morning.

“The great thing about Josh (Schache) last week was although he wasn’t having his best game, he persevered.

“I thought his last quarter was encouraging – he hasn’t played a lot of AFL footy in recent times, so we don’t want him to go out of the team but if Tim does play it probably influences some of our decision making around those roles.”

The Bulldogs suffered a 22-point loss to Richmond last Friday night, with Beveridge admitting his side “lost composure” in the second half.

“There was a bit of that (loss of composure) but there was also heat from Richmond, and I think their pressure game was strong,” Beveridge said.

“There’s no doubt in open space last week we were challenged - I think every team is when you give that much flow to the opposition, but there were sometimes where we felt like we should have been better.”

The Bulldogs will have to contend with a Blues’ outfit that have troubled them in recent times - and with an in-form Harry McKay leading the way.

“It’s going to be a challenge (against Carlton) for the boys who play there, whether it’s ‘Keathy’ or Zaine, or whether we pick ‘Lewy’ Young or not,“ Beveridge said.

“We’ve just got to make sure we limit the supply – that’s the main thing. We always say that, but hopefully we can halve some of those balls (coming into our defensive 50).”