The Western Bulldogs will be without half-forwards Robert Murphy and Brad Johnson for the next three AFL games because of injury.

Murphy will on Monday night undergo an arthroscopy to have a small cyst removed from behind his right knee, while Johnson has suffered another setback with his troublesome achilles.

The skipper has had an interrupted season because of his achilles problem, and the Bulldogs said he experienced tightness in the tendon after a training session on Saturday.

Johnson's latest setback will mean 2010 has easily been his most troublesome season with injury.

Before this season began the 33-year-old was revered for his durability, as he had missed only six games since he made his debut for the Bulldogs in round 18, 1994.

But he has already missed five of the eight games so far this campaign and has had only a limited input in the three games he has played, and is yet to kick a goal.

The Bulldogs, who occupy fourth spot on the ladder with a 5-3 win-loss record, play North Melbourne, Essendon and Collingwood in the next three rounds.

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