Carlton coach Michael Voss is confident star defender Jacob Weitering will be fit in time for Sunday's clash with Geelong after dealing with a knee issue from last weekend.
Weitering hasn't trained at 100 per cent and is required to get through the coming days unscathed to be deemed available for Round 7.
Speaking to media on Friday morning, Voss said he expects Weitering, who will be managed at training, to play against the Cats.
"He should get through most of the training session today. The requirement for us isn't to have him do 100 per cent," the Blues coach said of the All-Australian's status.
"Fortunately he's done plenty of the pre-season, had heaps of training and played every game. He'll go through his paces a bit today, but we expect him to be ready to go.
"He's got a great tolerance. When you have to get through a full season, there are some times where you aren't necessarily feeling 100 per cent.
"But at the same time, they're out there to perform. He'll be fit and ready to go. He's going to have a pretty big challenge on his hands against Geelong this weekend."
While unlikely, the chance of Weitering being ruled out could see swingman Lewis Young deployed in defence, with the stop-gap forward filling an attacking void in the absence of Harry McKay.
Voss confirmed McKay would return to the side after exiting concussion protocols, pairing with Charlie Curnow for the second time this year.
Young has found solid form in recent weeks, with Voss not ruling out the chance of having all three talls line up against Geelong if Weitering is named to play.
"Possibly, absolutely. Everything is form-based." Voss said of Young being positioned next to the Coleman Medal pair.
"He certainly asked that question. What he did last week and against the Bulldogs, for him to be able to come in and play that traditional utility (role) has been pretty handy for us.
"Knowing that we've got a player that we can flip forward and back, with what we've seen across the competition that if you can have that to impact at different stages of the game, it gives you that tactical flexibility that you need to be able to have."
Veteran Sam Docherty won't play at AFL level despite being named as one of three potential inclusions in the extended squad, with Voss noting his side is "fairly settled" and that there "won't be too many changes" for this weekend.
Docherty was dropped ahead of last week's game against North Melbourne on Good Friday and didn't feature at VFL level, with the former Blues captain a chance to feature in the state league this weekend when Carlton's VFL unit face Geelong.
Young defender Lachie Cowan is the other potential inclusion alongside McKay, with the Tasmanian named on the extended interchange with Matt Carroll, Blake Acres, Will White, Elijah Hollands, Cooper Lord, Young and Docherty.
Carlton will confirm their 23-man squad at 5:00pm (AEST) on Thursday and will name their final side an hour prior to Sunday's 3:20pm bounce.
