Matthew Kreuzer is a chance to return to Carlton’s senior side for Friday night’s clash with Port Adelaide at the Adelaide Oval.

Carlton’s injury toll means several team changes will be necessary, with Brock McLean (calf) and David Ellard (ankle) both ruled out, while Dale Thomas (knee) and Troy Menzel (shoulder) remain in doubt after leaving the ground injured against the Cats.

Andrew McInnes, Kane Lucas, Patrick Cripps and Matthew Watson are among those in contention for selection, while untried recruit Nick Holman could be in the mix to make his debut.

Kreuzer returned from injury for in the VFL last weekend. He played 50 per cent of the game for the Northern Blues and got through unscathed, notching up 10 disposals and 12 hitouts. Meanwhile Holman was among the side’s best performers with 12 disposals and a goal.

Coach Mick Malthouse says it will be a big test for whoever gets the call-up.

“I think the great thing about the list so far this year is that a player has been able to come in and take over a role and play the role very well,” Malthouse said in his weekly message to Carlton members. 

“Ciaran Sheehan is a classical case of coming in, probably a bit later than when Andrew Walker went out – and they’re different types of players – but he fitted into the back-line exactly the way that we’d expect Andrew to play.

“So under those circumstances, the players we bring in this week we’re looking for them to fulfill the same role … so that’s the test: to make sure that we keep our standard up, which has been quite high of recent times.”