THIS weekend could mark the anticipated return of Carlton defender Nic Newman.

Newman is one of a six inclusions to an extended bench that also features Alex Fasolo, Jarrod Garlett, Matthew Kennedy, Harrison Macreadie and Lochie O'Brien. 

They replace Lachie Plowman and Tom Williamson, who have come out of the side through injury.

The extended interchange will be cut down to the final team of 22 on Friday at 5pm.

The new recruit sat out the last two rounds after sustaining a patella tendon injury during their Round 6 clash with Hawthorn.

After an injury-riddled couple of weeks, Carlton’s backline would relish in the return of an experienced head despite having been well-managed by youngsters in recent weeks.

Harrison Macreadie has also been named in the extended squad for what could be his first senior game of the season if selected.

After an impressive debut season in 2017, the young defender missed the entire 2018 before a back injury delayed his pre-season. He showed some signs of his class in his two VFL games for the year. 

Off-season recruit Alex Fasolo has also been named in the extended squad after a six-week stint in the VFL.

If selected this would be the ex-Pie’s third senior appearance in navy and first since the Blues Round 2 clash with Port Adelaide.

Sunday’s game against the Giants begins at 4:40pm at GIANTS Stadium.

In: Fasolo, Garlett, Kennedy, Macreadie, Newman, O'Brien
Out: Plowman, Williamson (injured)