After 637 days out of the game, Cody Weightman is set to return for the Western Bulldogs this week, a move Tim Watson believes is tinged with desperation from the club.

The small forward will skip the VFL and get straight back into things in his club's showdown with Hawthorn on Friday night despite not taking to the field since the 2024 Elimination Final.

The 25-year-old has suffered with a congenital knee condition which has required five surgeries in the last 20 months.

While the Bulldogs are adamant he is ready to play, Watson harbours concerns about Weightman being fast-tracked to top tier footy.

"We know it is far more scientific that way players are prepared," he said on SEN Breakfast. "But being out there at speed, there is a physical adjustment that needs to happen. The fact he is in a game, they’re not going in the same speed (as training).

"I think there is a sign of desperation with this. You have to consider its an act of desperation, the guy hasn’t played for two seasons and you’re bringing him straight back in?

"I’m not saying they haven’t done their due diligence, but why wouldn’t you put him in the VFL for one or two weeks?

"Just to get his footy legs underneath him. He’s going to blow up there’s no way you can be out of footy that long so why else would you bring him back if there’s no desperation?

"I wish him well, I’m not trying to death ride him, I hope he is brilliant and they would know way better than me. But it is a massive, massive ask to pick up the speed of the game and not have some rust."

The 25-year-old has played 76 games for the Bulldogs kicking 126 goals, and coach Luke Beveridge could not be happier to have him back.

“He’s been getting through a lot more training, which is very, very encouraging,” Beveridge said on Wednesday.

“You know what, I think we forget what sort of player Cody is. He’s just such an influential player for us, so to miss him for a whole year and then the prospect of him maybe playing again is quite exciting for us.”