Coach Luke Beveridge has backed skipper Marcus Bontempelli to overcome illness to front up in the Western Bulldogs' clash with Fremantle.
But he says it's up to his other midfielders to take on some of the superstar captain's workload.
Bontempelli, 28, didn't train for most of the week but will be desperate to front seventh-placed Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, with opponents the Bulldogs just four points outside the top eight.
"He has been ill," Beveridge said on Friday of Bontempelli.
"He was crook a couple of weeks ago, too. That was before the Collingwood game, actually, and he came out and played an extremely influential game.
"He hasn't trained with the group this week. He comes in today - it's a pretty early game tomorrow so we'll hardly do anything at our captain's run.
"He's had a different preparation, and as you're aware and as you can understand with him, it'll take something pretty significant to stop him from playing.
"Hopefully he's not affected by it too much."
Bontempelli exploded with 38 disposals and two goals against Collingwood, but Beveridge said the Bulldogs couldn't rely on his brilliance alone.
"We're going nowhere if we keep relying on the skipper," Beveridge said.
"He's having a really strong year, he's had some extraordinary performances over his journey.
"But we need an even spread of contributors to beat Fremantle because ... their great strength is their work ethic. They're systematic with some of the things they do, they're a difficult team to beat.
"So we need to rely on everyone, and Marcus is just one of 23."
After he was tagged with some success by Brisbane's Jarrod Berry, limited to 19 disposals and three goals, Bontempelli could attract close attention from Fremantle midfielder Hayden Young.
On his return from concussion, Ed Richards will likely join Tom Liberatore, Adam Treloar, Ryley Sanders and Harvey Gallagher among Bontemptelli's fellow midfielders.
Beveridge expected Rory Lobb (ankle) to be fit to face his former club.
"He's OK, he's definitely playing and he and Tim (English) have got a big challenge on their hands with Sean Darcy and young (Luke) Jackson," he said.
"He'll play a pivotal role in our chances of overcoming them and what they're trying to do."
The Bulldogs have already regained Cody Weightman (elbow) in a massive boost to their attack, while Anthony Scott has been recalled.
Alex Keath will miss six-to-eight weeks with a hamstring strain, while Riley Garcia and Lachie McNeil have been dropped.
