Western Bulldogs defender Matt Suckling will miss at least the next month of the AFL season with the ankle injury he sustained in last week’s win over Brisbane.

Suckling had initially hoped to miss only a fortnight after he landed awkwardly on his right leg in a marking contest at Etihad Stadium, sparking fears he had suffered a serious knee injury.

Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge told reporters on Tuesday that Suckling had been cleared of serious damage to his knee but confirmed he would miss at least a month, possibly more, after badly wrenching his ankle in the incident.