Scans revealed yesterday three fractures to Kimmorley's cheekbone following a head clash with the Warriors centre Jerome Ropati on Sunday, with an estimated rehabilitation of one month.

That would leave Kimmorley racing the clock to be back for the preliminary finals on the weekend of September25-26, but the Bulldogs would still need to win in either week one or two of the finals to get that far.

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore said yesterday, ''It's disappointing but certainly, we've given ourselves a great opportunity to be there at the back end of the year so I've got no doubt we'll still see Brett Kimmorley on the field.

[Week three] is realistic. We've had some good news in that regard.

''It could have been better but it could have been a lot worse so, the positive thing is we get the operation done tomorrow, start his recovery and we'll see him back on the field through the finals.''

Asked how Kimmorley was feeling, Moore said, ''He's in much better spirits today.

''I think yesterday he was thinking that it might have been the season for him.

''But he said after seeing the surgeon this morning he was feeling really positive and he's just focusing on making sure he can get as much recovery as he can and get back on deck for us.''

Moore confirmed Daniel Holdsworth was set to wear the No7 in the club's final-round match against Wests Tigers on Friday night, which it must win to claim the minor premiership.

Holdsworth has started just one match at halfback this season, in round 18 against the Warriors when Kimmorley was away in camp with the NSW Origin side.

However, he has been a regular at training and has played 11 matches all up this season, most of them coming off the bench. AAP