Western Bulldogs fitness staff are "really optimistic" boom recruit Adam Treloar will be fit to face his former club Collingwood in round one of the AFL season.
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Treloar, who was forced out in the Magpies' salary cap squeeze during the trade period, experienced low-level calf tightness a fortnight ago.
It set off alarm bells at Whitten Oval, given Treloar's history of soft tissue injuries.
The 27-year-old will sit out of Wednesday's practice match against Hawthorn and is in doubt for the Dogs' second preseason hit-out, against Melbourne the following week.
But he is a chance to don the tricolours for the first time in the Bulldogs-Magpies blockbuster at the MCG on March 19.
"I'm happy to say that those calf symptoms have settled and that he is back running," Bulldogs head of sports medical Chris Bell said on Friday.
"Considering his history, we're going to take our time with him, and expect to build him up over the next two to three weeks.
"But we're really optimistic that he's going to be fine for round one."
Former captain Easton Wood strained a hamstring during match simulation last week and remains in doubt for round one as the Bulldogs look to increase his workload over the next two to three weeks.
Ex-Melbourne forward Mitch Hannan is recovering from a groin injury and is on track to be available for the Dogs early in the season.
Meanwhile, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has told AFL.com.au that defender Darcy Gardiner will miss the Lions' season opener against Sydney as he continues his recovery from off-season knee surgery.
Australian Associated Press
