The Bulldogs' hopes of back-to-back NRL premierships have suffered another massive blow with points-scoring machine Hazem El Masri ruled out for up to two months with a knee injury.

El Masri will see a specialist on Wednesday to determine the extent of damage to medial ligaments following a collision with Brisbane hooker Casey McGuire last Friday night.

Club doctor Hugh Hazard said El Masri could be facing up to two months on the sidelines, meaning he would only play again this year if the Bulldogs reached the third week of the finals.

The titleholders are currently ninth and, with the goalkicking ace averaging 10 points a game this season, his omission could hardly have come at a worse time for the Bulldogs.

After an inconsistent and injury-riddled start to the season, the Bulldogs have finally returned to form with five wins from six games, including their last three.

The likes of Mark O'Meley and Willie Mason have all returned in recent weeks, and internationals Sonny Bill Williams and Willie Tonga are expected back soon.

But the loss of El Masri could prove one setback too many for the Dogs in 2005.

"To get an injury, especially to my kicking leg, it's going to be hard to recover and especially to recover well," El Masri told Channel Nine.

"I'm going to see the specialist tomorrow to determine whether it needs surgery or whether we'll just have it in a brace for God knows how long."

El Masri's setback continues the Bulldogs No.1 injury curse.

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