Carlton coach Michael Voss confirmed that key defensive pair Jacob Weitering and Harry Dean will return from concussion on Thursday against Collingwood, but stopped short of suggesting if axed midfielder George Hewett will line up.
Hewett was surprisingly dropped from the Blues senior side last week in a bid to create a different midfield mix against the Crows, with Zac Williams, Sam Walsh and Jagga Smith earning more on-ball minutes.
But Voss hinted that the former Swan could be overlooked again, despite holding roles on Pies superstar Nick Daicos in the past.
"They're all up for selection," Voss said.
"Unless they're injured, they're available. We've had a couple of good chats about it. We're pretty transparent. We've taken a team-first position, and he understands that. When he comes in and plays, he'll have an important role for that. So, I imagine it'll happen at some stage.
"That (Daicos tag) is a possibility. But I want to stress that there's the individual to keep in mind, and we always factor in the strengths they bring to the table, but we'll always take a team first position. And that's what we've done."
Voss expanded on the club needed a greater sample size of the midfield mix, saying that they got an "acute response" last week.
"I think so," Voss said.
"That's the bigger picture. Like anything, one game tells you a little bit. But you'd like a run of games before you make any defined decisions on that.
"Giving ourselves the chance to see what that looks like. Our clearance game was in pretty good order for most the game, albeit a short period of time through the centre bounce.
"That mix is always a conversation that we always have, but I don't think we glean. We get an acute response, but let's see what the next few games show us."
Billy Wilson and Matt Cottrell will play in the VFL as they work their way back from injury.
Cottrell is getting close to a senior return.
"We've conditioned him through playing football, and he's getting pretty close. Then it becomes a performance discussion," Voss said.
"As people have heard before, he's one of my favourites - not just because he's a redhead, but because he brings a lot to us as a football team, he plays an enormous role for us and he's a team-first player. When he's ready to go, we'll be playing him that's for sure."
