Western Bulldogs spearhead Barry Hall could be forced into premature AFL retirement within the next month.

Hall is battling a persistent ankle injury, and has asked the Bulldogs to tap him on the shoulder mid-season if they feel he can no longer contribute.

The 34-year-old will miss the Bulldogs' clash with Geelong on Saturday - and admits he has been underdone since resuming from the original ankle injury which sidelined him for a month.

"The next month for me is pretty big," Hall told the Nine Network's The Footy Show.

"If I can't give this group anything ... I'll certainly retire, I'll step aside for a younger guy.

"I still think I can (contribute) mentally. We'll certainly find out over the next month, no doubt."

Hall has played 279 AFL matches for St Kilda, Sydney and the Bulldogs, and kicked more than 700 goals.

He aggravated his ankle again in the Dogs' loss to Hawthorn last weekend in which he barely featured, and says the ankle continually swells up after matches.

Hall admitted he had spoken to Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade and asked him to be honest if the forward wasn't able to provide the team a decent attacking focal point.

If that was the case, Hall said he would retire mid-season.

"I spoke to Rocket (Eade) early last week. I was disappointed in my performance on the weekend and what I was able to do body-wise," he said.

"I told him in no uncertain terms if I'm not pulling my weight, I want to be told, and I'll step aside.

"I've put in ordinary performances. I've been underdone. I won't let that happen again."

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