THE WESTERN Bulldogs have invited former Carlton player Jake Edwards to train with them in the hope of unearthing another tall option.

The 21-year-old played five games for Carlton between 2005 and 2009 before being delisted last month.

Coach Rodney Eade said the Dogs would consider adding him to their list as a defensive option.

"We're looking for some taller forwards/defenders," Eade said on Tuesday.

"He played his last 10 games this year at the Bullants in defence and did very well.

"He's in the mix, whether it's senior list or rookie list."

Edwards already has strong links to the Dogs, with his father Allan playing 12 games for them in 1984, his grandfather Arthur playing 120 between 1951 and 1960, and his great-grandfather Frank Aked Sr playing 108 between 1925 and 1932.

However, Eade said the decision to recruit the youngster would not be influenced by the romanticism of the family connection.

"We're not into that sort of emotion. I think it's a nice story if it works out but that won't be the reason we take him," he said.

The Bulldogs have six picks in the NAB AFL Draft (picks 15, 31, 63, 76, 86 and 92), with the last two to be used to upgrade Liam Picken and James Mulligan to the senior list.

They also have five vacancies on their rookie list after delisting Henry White, John Shaw and Chris Ogle. 

The club's young guns resumed training on Monday and will be joined by their older teammates next week.

New recruit Barry Hall is currently on crutches after undergoing an ankle clean out but is expected to appear at the club on Thursday this week.

Eade said he was confident Hall's operation would not hamper his pre-season.

"We've got about 28 players back at the moment and most of them are in pretty good shape, which is good," Eade said.

"Barry can start cross-training next Friday so he'll be doing boxing, which he's obviously very good at, and bike and swim.

"He'll start walking in a fortnight and then he'll start jogging and running maybe in three weeks, so he's not too far behind."

Sam Reid and Stephen Tiller are likely to miss the start of the NAB Cup after undergoing major groin surgery.

Eade said the Dogs were expecting big things from some of their second and third year players in season 2010.

"We see Jordan [Roughead] now as our ruckman that can come through and put pressure on Will Minson and Ben Hudson, so hopefully he can get some games," he said.

"[Ayce] Cordy is still very light for a guy who is six-foot-eight. He's certainly got enough talent to play senior footy next year but [it's] whether his body will develop quickly enough.

"[Jarrad] Grant we'd like to see get some senior footy as well."