Western Bulldogs ruckman Tim English is at long odds to play again this AFL season after his latest knee injury.
English suffered medial ligament damage to his left knee in last week's loss to North Melbourne and the Bulldogs had already ruled him out for their last two regular-season games.
Coach Luke Beveridge was asked on Thursday if English was a chance to return for their wildcard final.
"He's going to be longer-term than that ... he'll be further down the track," Beveridge said.
"The ruck situation will be challenged and I see that as enthralling, more than anything."
Also on Thursday, Lachie Carmichael was confirmed for his AFL debut in Sunday's match against Carlton.
He will be the 39th player for the Bulldogs this season. Beveridge noted teams who have fielded that many in a season are usually near the bottom of the ladder, not in ninth spot.
Carmichael, 18, is a Sydney academy defender who was taken in the first round of last year's draft at No. 21.
The Bulldogs will host the 10th-placed Blues on Sunday at Marvel Stadium in a potential preview of the two wildcard finals later this month.
Josh Fraser started his outstanding tenure as interim Carlton coach in round 11 with a two-goal win over the Bulldogs.
"The pursuit of improvement is what the next two weeks are about, in preparation for that final," Beveridge said.
"The Blues have had an extremely productive last three months and it started with us.
"So it's a good opportunity now to test ourselves against them."
