The Western Bulldogs will lose Shaun Higgins for up to three weeks as the young AFL star recovers from a hamstring injury.

The Bulldogs will also be without Robert Murphy (hamstring) and Scott Welsh (ankle) for Saturday's Etihad Stadium game against Fremantle.

But they will regain Lindsay Gilbee, who missed Saturday night's loss to St Kilda because of a family illness.

"We're hoping two, maybe three (for Higgins) - Robert looks more likely (to be) one, but maybe two," said coach Rodney Eade.

"If you're looking at percentages, Higgins is probably 60-40 to be a three-weeker and Murphy is probably 60-40 to be a one-weeker."

Eade added Welsh had nursed a sore ankle for a couple of weeks.

Welsh cost the Bulldogs a crucial free kick at the start of the last quarter on Saturday when he mistakenly took his place on the field.

He should have been on the interchange bench and it cost the Bulldogs a goal because they had 19 men on the field.

Meanwhile, Richmond onballer Nathan Foley will miss the rest of the season because of an ankle injury.

Foley has missed the last three games and he will now undergo surgery.

The Tigers will try to put him on the long-term injury list, so they can promote a rookie-listed player.

Richmond said on their website that Foley should have recovered in time for the start of pre-season training.

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