The Western Bulldogs have confidence in welcoming back key defender Liam Jones against a desperate Carlton on Friday night.
Jones, who missed the opening two rounds of the season after suffering a serious hamstring strain during an interstate preseason trip, which also ruled him out of February's Indigenous All Stars fixture, will test for fitness at Wednesday's main session.
The 34-year-old is a likely inclusion for the round three matchup with his former club, the Bulldogs firmed on Monday afternoon.
Jones was initially pencilled in for eight to 10 weeks away from full training after sustaining the injury on February 2.
"Liam Jones has progressed well following his hamstring injury earlier this year," Dogs head of sports medicine Chris Bell said.
"He completed a game-like training simulation session on Friday and has pulled up really well.
"If he gets through training this week like I expect, he will return to availability."
After conceding the opening three goals of the contest, Collingwood spoiled Footscray's 100th birthday celebrations on Friday by holding out for a six-point victory to post their second win of the year in front of 78,000 fans at the MCG.
