Stuart Dew says Gold Coast had to save Tom Lynch from himself by ruling the star forward out for a month with the recurrence of a knee problem.

With Lynch's co-captain Steven May (hand) also sidelined, midfield bull David Swallow will captain the SUNS against the Western Bulldogs on Saturday.

Lynch suffered the PCL injury at the back end of 2017, and Gold Coast coach Dew said Lynch had carried the problem the past couple of weeks.

But enough was enough, he said.

"Tom being Tom, he'd roll out every week," Dew said.

"That's good at times, but sometimes you have to save the players.

"We thought with the bye, he needed a bit of a break, so this way he misses one less game.

"All things being well he should be back after the bye (to play in round 11)."

Lynch has kicked 14 goals in six games this season but has been unable to train during the week.

An ankle injury suffered against West Coast in round four has also impacted on the knee injury, making it difficult to do the strengthening exercises he needs to stay on top of it.

"There's a few players around the league, Buddy being the same a bit, he played round one, got hurt, and there's only so many weeks you can get up for the game but not train," Dew said.

May broke his finger in round five against the Lions and following minor surgery, played with a guard against Adelaide at the weekend, but a subsequent infection has ruled him out to play the Dogs.

Dew said Swallow's elevation was well deserved.

"He just leads by example with his physicality and the way he approaches his footy.

"Everyone sees the two hours on Saturday, but he's a great leader from Monday to Friday."