THE WESTERN Bulldogs have upgraded utility Daniel Pearce to their senior list ahead of Sunday's clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The 22-year-old rookie was given his chance after the Dogs placed luckless midfielder Clay Smith on the long-term injury list to recuperate from a third knee reconstruction inside two years.

Pearce was delisted at the end of 2014 after three injury-riddled seasons on the senior list, before being redrafted as rookie.

The aggressive playmaker registered his five senior games in his debut season of 2012 after being taken with pick 49 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.