The Western Bulldogs will be without key forward Aaron Naughton but could regain dashing defender Ed Richards for this week’s match against the Sydney Swans.

Naughton was substituted out of Sunday’s win against North Melbourne at half time.

“In the second quarter, Aaron went up for an aerial contest and on coming down bumped his head,” head of sports medicine, Chris Bell, said.

“This did give him some concussion symptoms.

“Aaron has come in well today and we’ll work through our concussion process over the next 12 days to determine his availability to play.”

Richards was a late withdrawal against North due to illness.

“Unfortunately he became unwell on Saturday night and was withdrawn,” Bell said.

“Ed’s improving this week and we expect him to fully train and return to availability.”

The Bulldogs have several senior players closing in on returns from injury.

Star midfielder Josh Dunkley is now only a week or two away from being available, after having a shoulder reconstruction following the Bulldogs’ round six win against the GWS Giants

Ruckman Stefan Martin (groin) and defender Easton Wood (ankle) are both two-to-three weeks away.

Injury list

Richards (illness) – test
Naughton (concussion) – TBC
Dunkley (shoulder) – 1-2 weeks
Martin (groin) – 2-3 weeks
Wood (ankle) – 2-3 weeks
Vandermeer (knee) – 3-4 weeks
Jong (hamstring) – 4-5 weeks
Gardner (shoulder) – 5-7 weeks
Treloar (ankle) - indefinite