Ruckman Tim English could be a touch-and-go proposition for the Western Bulldogs’ next match, against Melbourne on Saturday afternoon.

English picked up an ankle niggle late in the Bulldogs’ win against the Adelaide Crows yesterday.

The 23-year-old spent large parts of the game inside-50 alongside Aaron Naughton, proving a threat in the air but unable to capitalize on the scoreboard with 1.4.

Senior coach Luke Beveridge admitted that similarly to Jason Johannisen this week, English would need to be fit to train later this week to face the Dees.

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“I did mention in the press conference post-game that he had expressed to me that he sensed he would be okay,” Beveridge said on SEN 1116 this morning.

“That’s up in the air.

“There’s probably a chance Tim does miss this week.

“It’s a six-day break, if he’s not up to it come that last training session, we just need to rule a line (through him) and get him ready for possibly the following week.”

The Bulldogs haven’t needed to call on their ruck reserves much over the past two seasons, with the durable big man featuring in every game in 2020, plus 20 of 23 games in 2019. 

If English is unavailable, the Bulldogs could look to either experienced utility Jackson Trengove – who was a late inclusion in round eight against Richmond – or yet-to-debut ruckman Jordon Sweet to take his place.