Bulldogs set for huge post-bye boost

Western Bulldogs could regain star forward Aaron Naughton immediately after the bye as former Saint Nick Coffield also edges closer to returning from a shoulder injury.

Naughton, who has missed the last three games with a medial ligament injury sustained early in the round 11 loss to Sydney, is firming to play against North Melbourne next week.

Recruits Coffield and James Harmes (hamstring) are also in the frame to face the Kangaroos in the Marvel Stadium clash.

Bulldogs head doctor Chris Bell said Naughton was in the “back end” of his rehabilitation after he avoided a catastrophic ACL injury against the Swans.

“(Naughton) is integrating back into some football drills, and we are working to build back his strength and the continuity in his training,” Bell said.

“We will be working hard with Aaron across the next 10 days to try and accelerate his rehab to get him back to availability after the bye.”

Young duo Jordan Croft and Luke Cleary will both be assessed after the bye before potentially leaving the concussion protocols, while Jason Johannisen remains two to three weeks away from returning from a high grade hamstring injury.

The Kangaroos were dealt a heavy blow on the back of Sunday’s one-point loss to Collingwood, with promising second-year player Brayden George suffering a second ACL injury in the VFL curtain-raiser.

Scans revealed the No. 26 pick had ruptured the ACL ligament in his left knee after previously suffering the injury in his draft year.

Key defender Griffin Logue has been cleared to return from his own ACL injury and will play managed minutes in the VFL this weekend, the Kangaroos confirmed.