Western Bulldogs star Robert Murphy has avoided elbow surgery and could return to full AFL training in only two to three weeks.

It is unexpectedly good news for the Bulldogs, who had feared he might have been out of action for more than two months.

Murphy’s right arm was in a brace after he fell awkwardly at training earlier this month.

“Bob has shown a good degree of healing over the past fortnight,” said the club’s medical services manager Andrew McKenzie.

“We will transition him into full contact training in two to three weeks, with a view to have him ready to play not long after that.”

Murphy is one of the Bulldogs’ most important players with 249 games since his 1999 debut.

He made the 2011 All-Australian team.