Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has again addressed the future of his forgotten superstar Bailey Smith.

Smith has been out of AFL action this year with an ACL injury he suffered last December, and he is also out of contract.

Rumours have been swirling all season that he will depart the Bulldogs, with Geelong and Collingwood widely viewed as the frontrunners.

Now Beveridge has also admitted that he is losing confidence on Smith remaining at the club the longer contract negotiations drag on.

“When a player hasn’t told you he is staying, as time goes on, your confidence levels start to wane a bit,” Beveridge told reporters on Friday.

Beveridge was asked if he would like clarity from Smith, but he said he wouldn’t force it.

“If it comes out early because that’s the player’s choice, then they’d let the club know,” he said.

“Sometimes there’s no certainty from the other end and players might have more than one option and they’re considering things.”