Carlton will regain midfielder Adam Cerra for Friday's game against Collingwood, with Blues coach Michael Voss heedful of the Magpies' midfield depth as the reigning premiers prepare to call on an undermanned engine room unit.
Collingwood will be without senior duo Jordan De Goey (groin) and Tom Mitchell (foot) for the Round 8 bout, while the Blues' core unit will be bolstered by Cerra's return from a recent hamstring concern.
The former Docker could be joined by forward pair David Cuningham (calf) and Orazio Fantasia (illness) in being included in Voss' side for the MCG blockbuster, while defender Mitch McGovern (hamstring) will require another week of rehabilitation.
"He's come up quite well," Voss said of Cerra on Thursday.
"Could've been right on the edge last week, we sort of put a bit more [of a conservative approach] behind it. He's been able to train really well. He'll be ready to go.
"[McGovern] won't be ready for this week, he's likely ready for next week."
Voss is well aware of Collingwood's damaging midfield assets outside of De Goey and Mitchell, noting the Magpies' side for this week won't be a pushover despite the talent deficit in the middle.
"I reckon they've got enough coverage, they're a pretty good team," the Blues coach added.
"I think what we've prided ourselves on is that we feel like we've got a system that stands up. Clearly having talent to drive that helps.
"They've got a couple of pieces missing, but I'm sure they've got a couple of pieces that they've put on that are ready for their own turn.
"We just need to make sure that while we're talking about some of the threats that they bring we're still able to play the style of football that we want to be able to bring.
"I hear them talk a lot about their pressure, we value it as well. That will be an interesting bit of byplay in itself."
Friday night's game could rival last Thursday's Anzac Day clash attendance of 93,644 fans, with the Blues and Magpies likely to break the 90,000 barrier.
That attendance would surpass last Saturday's 87,775 crowd against Geelong at the MCG, with the Blues also posting a shared crowd of 83,881 in Round 1 against Richmond at the same venue.
Carlton - who reached 100,000 members this week - played in front of two crowds north of 40,000 fans at Marvel Stadium in Rounds 4 and 6 against North Melbourne and Adelaide respectively, with the club looking to increase its number of MCG home matches at the cost of Marvel Stadium games.
The Blues have six home matches at Docklands this year and five at the MCG, with Voss confirming the club is keen to increase its number of home games at the nation's biggest ground.
"We've spoken about that, it's certainly on the agenda for the club," Voss said.
"At the end of the day, it's probably over to the AFL to decide. Our people are certainly making a strong statement, turning up in numbers and being present at the MCG.
"But we also understand that there's a process to go through to make that happen. Where we can explore it we will."
