Western Bulldogs big man Tom Boyd looks set to resume with Footscray this weekend after stepping away from the game temporarily while recieving treatment for clinical depression, according to coach Luke Beveridge.

Boyd has not play since the Club’s Round 13 match against the Demons at Etihad Stadium but has resumed full training with the group and could return to football against Essendon on Saturday afternoon Beveridge told reporters on Friday night.

“It’s likely that he plays VFL footy next week,” he said following the Club’s loss to GWS on Friday night.

“He’s been back training in the full program the last couple of weeks so it’s likely that he’ll have a run with Footscray.”

Asked if there’s a possibility he re-joins the senior team at any point this season, Beveridge said it was unlikely but he wouldn’t write him off.

“He’s missed a lot of footy… it’d be hard for him to slot in in the near future, his years’ virtually gone I would have thought at AFL level, but who knows?”

‘’Who knows how much we’ve got left.  If it lasts for another month and a half he might be good for a sneaky chance but time will tell.”

Boyd has averaged 11 disposals, two marks and 20 hitouts per contest over 11 games this season playing almost 70% in the ruck.