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Midfielder Toby McLean has had a second successive AFL season ended prematurely by injury after hurting his right knee again at Western Bulldogs training.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Toby McLean's AFL season is over after he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his troublesome right knee.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury at training on Saturday after only recently making a successful return from a similar injury in the same knee.

McLean made his comeback against Geelong in round 14, just eight months after the first injury ended his 2020 season early.

He booted what looked set to be the match-winning goal in the final stages against the Cats before Gary Rohan sunk the Bulldogs with a kick after the siren.

McLean played again in wins over West Coast and North Melbourne in rounds 15 and 16 respectively, averaging 14 disposals and four tackles across the three successive matches.

But the injury sustained during a Whitten Oval training session over the weekend will now see him forced to the sidelines for another long lay-off.

McLean will undergo surgery later this week before beginning his rehabilitation.

The 2016 premiership player has featured in 94 games for the Bulldogs, but has managed just 15 senior appearances in the last two seasons.