Carlton is giving key forward Harry McKay every chance to play this week despite suffering a minor meniscus tear in his knee last week against Collingwood.
McKay was removed early from the Pies game after colliding with teammate Sam Walsh.
“Harry will be an assess today. It's not so much a cautious approach, but we'll set him up to be able to get through training - we'll make a call on him this afternoon," Blues coach Josh Fraser said.
“[His movement] hasn't been too bad; we've taken the approach that we need to see him train to declare him available for selection. That's what today represents.
“I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about [the commentary]: whenever someone is injured, your mind goes to the care for the player. We act on the information given by our medical team - I push the commentary to the side and make sure I'm giving the support the player needs.
“He's in question for this weekend. He needs to get through training: I'm not a surgeon or a doctor, but we need to see him move at a certain level before we can deem him fit for selection.
“He's presented his usual self. He has great energy around the group; he's trying as hard as he can to play and leading internally around the club. That's how he's presented.”
Midfielder Adam Cerra is also a chance of facing Gold Coast this week once scans confirm no hamstring strain, while ruckman Marc Pittonet is pushing for a senior recall.
“'Cez' is moving pretty well. He's someone who needs to get through training, but he seems quietly confident he'll get through," Fraser said.
“He's a guy that will also need to get through today, we've got a couple in that boat. He's improving: there are some boxes to tick around his role more specifically and how we set him up for the game if he's able to get through.”
Fraser also refused to indulge in questions regarding his coaching future, with reports indicating he is part of the selection process.
The Blues are understood to have narrowed down their candidates, with the Carlton caretaker among Corey Enright, James Kelly and Jaymie Graham vying for the position.
Fraser has been steadfast in his response of focusing exclusively on the team throughout his tenure, which hasn't changed.
“Nothing has changed for me. The only thing that's changed is correcting some things in our game to go out and earn the result this week," he said.
"I understand why the questions are asked, I really do. But nothing has really changed for me in nine weeks.
“I'm so focused on setting this club up, and my part is to help do that. Some of it is about outcome, but some of it is around process and making sure we're continuing to challenge our playing group to get better.”
