The Sydney Swans will take a conservative approach with midfielder Josh Kennedy, who was subbed out of Saturday afternoon’s clash with St Kilda.

Kennedy, who has played 127 consecutive matches, put on the red vest early in the second term of the match at the SCG after experiencing tightness in his left hamstring.

Swans coach John Longmire told sydneyswans.com.au on Monday afternoon that Kennedy had recovered well after the match and would be assessed this week.

“He’s pulled up well today and feels really good,” the coach said.

“He hasn’t got a tear, but we’ll manage him conservatively this week and see how he goes.

“We certainly won’t risk him if we think he needs a week without playing, and we’ll make that decision later in the week.”

Should Kennedy miss this Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, Longmire backed the midfielder to be available for the club’s round 23 match against Richmond at ANZ Stadium.

“It will be reliant upon our medical staff to make that call (for the Bulldogs’ game), but it’s fair to say that we’re not going to put him at risk and if he’s not feeling good at the back end of the week then he won’t play,” he said.

“If he doesn’t play this week, it will only be the one week.

“It feels fine today, so that’s a good sign.”

There was more good news on the injury front for the Swans, with Craig Bird, who suffered a knee injury early in Saturday’s game, likely to miss just one match with the injury.

“Craig Bird hurt his posterior cruciate ligament,” Longmire said.

“At this stage it’s probably looking like a one-week injury and hopefully that’s all it is.

“We’re reasonably confident that he’ll be okay next week, if he gets through this week.

“We’ll know a little bit more later in the week because we’re not sure how he’ll respond.

“At this stage he’ll miss this week and he’s a chance for next week.”

After missing two matches with injury, Longmire said both Nick Smith (back) and Rhyce Shaw (ankle) will be in the mix to return to the field this weekend, but said Ben McGlynn (calf) would miss another week.

“McGlynn won’t play this week, but Shaw and Nick Smith are a chance to come back in,” he said.

“(McGlynn) had a strain in his calf so he’s obviously missed the last week, but we expect he’ll be okay for the next week.

“If we get Nick Smith back and Rhyce Shaw back, if Josh and Birdy didn’t play, then they’ll be the likely changes at this stage.”

With the Swans sitting atop the AFL table and with just two regular season matches remaining, Longmire said producing a strong performance against the Bulldogs was vital for his side.

“As far as the motivation factor, we’ve got a lot to play for,” Longmire said.

“We’ll be going absolutely flat out this week.

“Right throughout the ladder at the moment there is plenty for all the teams to play for, so we’re no different to anyone else and we’ll be going as hard as we can.”

Longmire said the Swans also could not afford to underestimate the Bulldogs, who boast a host of impressive young talent.

“It’s an important game for us this week,” he said.

“We need to make sure we play some really strong football this week and go to work at Etihad against a team that’s got some extremely exciting young players that have shown some real excitement to their supporters this year.”