THE Western Bulldogs head to Canberra for the match against Sydney without Ryan Griffen, who hurt his hamstring at training yesterday.

Jordan McMahon (thigh) will also be left out and there are doubts over Cameron Wight (back) and skipper Brad Johnson (thigh).

Griffen was due to play his 50th match but failed to complete training and will have scans today.

Coach Rodney Eade said McMahon had pulled up sore. "He had a corky about three weeks ago and kept on playing," he said. "We're just worried about the calcification in his thigh, so he won't play."

Carlton midfielder Nick Stevens attended training yesterday for the first time since neck surgery three weeks ago and said he expected to start jogging in three or four weeks, but there was "no chance" of playing again this year.

Eddie Betts is likely to miss six weeks after a double hamstring tear. Scans revealed Betts had a tear of 12 centimetres, and another of seven centimetres in a different tendon in the same leg. "I don't think he will play before the split round," Carlton coach Denis Pagan said.

St Kilda is set to regain co-captain Lenny Hayes and ruckman Matthew Clarke.

Hayes and Clarke flew to Perth, and coach Ross Lyon could finally talk about players returning. "It has been a little bit of a rough run, but everyone has those and we are working through that," he said.

Lyon also declared Nick Riewoldt and Fraser Gehrig to be fine, despite foot injuries to both.

Adelaide champion Andrew McLeod declared that the Crows should recall Mark Ricciuto for Saturday's game against Carlton, after the skipper trained well.

"I think everyone would like to see Roo play and I'm no exception," McLeod said. "I am not surprised on the way he trained … I thought he trained well out there, and looked sharp and really good. It's not my decision, but I'd play him."

Ricciuto has not played since round 20 last season. Brett Burton (knee soreness) is likely to be rested, but the Crows may recall Graham Johncock (ankle), Brent Reilly (ankle) and Jason Porplyzia (knee).