CARLTON is set to benefit from the much-welcomed experience of two important defenders for this weekend's game against St.Kilda. 

Kade Simpson and Lachie Plowman are both in line to return to the senior selection mix for the important Round 10 clash.  

Director of High Performance Andrew Russell gave updates on the defenders, encouraged by the positive signs demonstrated by both over the last week. 

“Simpson has had a really clean rehab. He’s missed the last three games, but he’ll be back in full training this week,” Russell said.

“We expect him to be available to play this weekend versus the Saints which is great news.”

The boys know they'll have to respond this week, but also know it has to be internally driven. #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/NoXEBO7moh

— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) May 21, 2019

Plowman’s stint on the sidelines is proving to be short-lived, after he returned to training today following surgery on a fractured cheekbone.

The reliable defender copped a knock late in the Blues’ clash with Collingwood and missed the weekend’s hitout against GWS.

“Plowman has recovered really well from his surgery that he had last Wednesday. He was back on the training track today,” he said.

“He did the whole session, we expect him to train on Thursday and then be available versus the Saints this weekend.”

The bolstered backline is still likely to miss the stoic defence of Liam Jones, as he continues to recover from a concussion sustained in a clash with North Melbourne’s Cameron Zurhaar in Round 7.

Jones has sat out the last two rounds with the Club being extra cautious around the defender's return.  

“Liam continues to have low-level symptoms to that concussion episode. It’s really important with these head injuries that we are conservative and progress really slowly,” he said. 

“He’s doing low-level work exercise; he’s handling it quite well, but it probably means we won’t see him for the next couple of weeks at this stage.

INJURY LIST