Carlton remains confident superstar Chris Judd will be ready to return for the Round 3 clash with Essendon.

Judd missed the Blues' season opener after having surgery on his Achilles last month.

Carlton's GM-Football Operations Andrew McKay says the dual Brownlow medalist is progressing well in his recovery.

"He's (Judd's) running now and will be training late this week or early next week, so we're confident he will be ready for the match against Essendon," McKay said.

Vice-captain Andrew Carrazzo and new recruit Sam Docherty are on track to return the same week as Judd.

Meanwhile both of Carlton's new Irish recruits have suffered a setback as they adjust to the rigours of AFL.

"Both Ciaran Sheehan and Ciaran Byrne have experienced some tendinitis of the patella tendon in the knee," McKay said.

"It's just an overuse injury, so it's really just part of their bodies adjusting to the pre-season and the early games."

Both Irishmen have been sidelined for a week, along with Dennis Armfield who has a knee injury.
 

CARLTON INJURY LIST

Dennis Armfield 
Knee 
1 week

Ciaran Byrne 
Tendinitis
1 week

Andrew Carrazzo 
Calf
2 weeks

Sam Docherty 
Knee 
2 weeks

Chris Judd
Achilles 
2 weeks

Ciaran Sheehan
Tendinitis
1 week