Carlton coach Michael Voss has confirmed emerging tall Tom De Koning will play at VFL level this week, while the Blues' sub for their trip to face West Coast has been confirmed.
De Koning was managed for Carlton's Round 6 clash with St Kilda following a bout of illness and soreness, with the 23-year-old not playing at either level over the recent weekend.
The selection decision raised eyebrows given De Konining's importance for the future and contract status, with the club hoping to get the best out of the Mt Martha product this year.
When De Koning wasn't listed as an inclusion for the Perth venture on Thursday further questions were raised on De Koning's place in Voss' pecking order, with the Blues coach conceding his young ruck-forward is needing to "work on his game".
Voss said De Koning has the opportunity to bounce back through the VFL as the Blues search for the right balance to face West Coast.
"What we've got to look at is the skillset and the profile we need," Voss said on De Koning when speaking to reporters on Friday.
"We have to balance that up with what we need to get from him.
“He's pretty clear on what he's got to go back and work on. He was a bit banged up last week so we gave him a rest, and he'll go back to the VFL to work on his game.
"He's an important person to us, so I imagine he'll be back pretty soon.”
Carlton named three changes for their Round 7 bout with the Eagles, welcoming the returns of senior defensive duo Sam Docherty and Adam Saad alongside emerging backman Brodie Kemp.
The trio replace Lachie Cowan, Jesse Motlop and Lochie O'Brien in Voss' side, while midfielder Matt Kennedy was another omission for this weekend.
However, Voss confirmed that Kennedy will suit up as the tactical sub to take on the Eagles, with the Blues coach expressing his displeasure in having to name his substitute as an omission and creating selection hysteria among fans.
"Matty will be sub, I don't mind disclosing that," Voss said. "That's the nature of the way we select teams now.
"I don't see why you can't name the 23 but it is what it is. Matty will be the sub and when we have to activate him throughout the game, we know the role he can play for us.
"It's crazy why we've got to ‘omit' them, it's one of the crazier rules I've seen to omit someone and then put them back in. Hopefully by the time we get to the end of the year, they look at that pretty closely."
Carlton and West Coast will clash at Optus Stadium at 7:30pm (AEST) on Saturday night, with the Blues looking to snap a two-game losing streak.
