Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge believes Bob Murphy can return to the AFL, even if the veteran defender is ruled out for the remainder of the season.

Murphy won’t have the results of scans on his left knee until after lunch on Monday, though they are expected to confirm the Bulldogs skipper has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

“I’m hopeful that once it all settles and if it does confirm the worst after lunch time, that Bob still has a bright future as a player and captain of our football club,” Beveridge said.