CARLTON skipper Chris Judd has pencilled in the second round of the NAB Cup to make his return from shoulder surgery.

Judd, 28, was put on a modified training program after an arthroscopy on his right shoulder revealed some ligament damage in December, sparking fears he was in danger of missing the start of the Blues' premiership campaign.

However, he returned to full contact training in early February and is intent on using the NAB Cup to develop some match fitness.

"My shoulder is really well and I'm doing full training with the rest of the team," Judd told a school group at the launch of a Visy environmental program on Wednesday.

"I won't be playing this weekend, but I'm keen to play the weekend after. The fitness coach is trying to get me to play the third NAB Cup game so we'll wait and see who wins that battle."

The Blues travel to Adelaide to take on the Crows and Port Adelaide in their NAB Cup opener on Sunday and will play the Western Bulldogs in the second round at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, March 4.

With Robert Warnock (shoulder), Michael Jamison (back) and Nick Duigan (knee) definitely out and Jarrad Waite, Lachie Henderson and Andrew Walker being eased into the season, Carlton appears set to name a youthful side.

However, the desire to manage the load on its veterans and get a look at some of the club's inexperienced players will be balanced by the likely need to take an extended squad to Adelaide.

With the temperature forecast to reach 36C there is every likelihood the AFL will expand the interchange bench by two substitutes to help the clubs combat the heat.

Blues veteran Jordan Russell will make the trip and is confident he is in a good position to put an injury-interrupted 2011 behind him.

"That's in the past now - I can't change that," Russell said.

"I've had a full pre-season, bar a couple of niggles here and there, but I'm fully over them and can't wait to start on Sunday.

"I'm really excited about the times ahead."

While the Blues have had a few injuries to key players in the lead up to the NAB Cup, Russell said the side was primed to start its premiership campaign at near full strength.

"Jammo is probably the key one, but I think he'll be back by the end of the NAB Cup," he said.

"I think we'll have pretty well a full list to choose from [by round one]."

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