A training mishap has cast a cloud over the fitness of Western Bulldogs defender Lindsay Gilbee ahead of Sunday's clash with North Melbourne.

Gilbee hobbled off the track in pain on Wednesday, prompting fears he may have aggravated a foot ligament injury that he's been nursing for much of the season.

Senior coach Rodney Eade said the condition flared after the Bulldogs' win over Port Adelaide in Darwin in the first week of the split round.

"I think he got caught in a bit of a tackle," said Eade.

"There was some doubt on him, I suppose, anyway because this was the first day he's trained - he didn't train at all last week."

"The doc came out later and said he is hopeful that he would be able to play, but obviously this has put him in some doubt."

"We'll certainly give him every chance, we'll certainly name him, but we don't really know at this stage."

Should Gilbee fail to come up, Eade nominated Sam Reid, Tim Callan and Stephen Tiller as among the front-runners to replace him.

One player not in contention for promotion, however, is key defender Tom Williams who's had just one outing in the VFL after being sidelined for three weeks with a foot injury.

"We think he needs at least another week at Williamstown (and) we won't risk the temptation," said Eade.

"He needs some continuity so we'll give him at least one and maybe two or three weeks at Williamstown to get his confidence back in his body."

Eade said the prognosis was positive for beanpole ruckman Ayce Cordy who, it was initially feared, may have suffered spinal damage when he fell awkwardly while playing for Williamstown at the weekend.

Scans have revealed nothing more serious than a nasty concussion.

"Everything was clear, and it's just a matter of him being clear-minded," said Eade.

Meanwhile Eade said he fully expected the Kangaroos to rise to the occasion for Darren Crocker in his first match as caretaker coach following the 42-year-old's appointment to replace Dean Laidley.

"They've got a great resilience and they're a club that thrives on hard work, persistence and perseverance - they're a very competitive side," said Eade of the 12th-placed Kangaroos.

"To use their new coach's phrase, they'll freshen up and they've got some talent coming back in so it's going to be a difficult game from that aspect."