CARLTON could receive a boost to their big man stocks for Saturday’s contest against Collingwood. 

With the Blues desperate to respond against the old enemy, Matthew Kreuzer and Mitch McGovern will face tests in the build up to the grudge match against the Pies.

After missing the weekend’s game against North Melbourne, Director of High Performance Andrew Russell said Kreuzer had made some strong progress from his adductor injury.

“Matthew Kreuzer missed last week, we’re really happy with how he’s settled down,” Russell said.

“He training on Monday, he was at about 90 percent and we expect him to train fully on Thursday. He’s a really good chance to play this week.”

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Similar, McGovern could be a crucial addition for the Blues this week, after an inefficient forward display across the board on the weekend.

With 10 goals from his opening six games, Russell said the Club was hopeful McGovern’s hamstring tightness would subside for Saturday’s return to the MCG.

“McGovern missed last week as well, he had some tightness in his hamstring,” he said.

“He’ll be a test to play this week and early stages are indicating he’ll be a good chance to play.”

Another key target is also nearing a return to action, with Tom De Koning ticking off a significant moment in his recovery.

With a lateral knee ligament injury ruling him out for the last month, De Koning has removed his brace and will commence running.

“De Koning has been given the go ahead by the surgeon,” he said.

“He’ll start his conditioning block this week: he won’t play in the next 3-4 weeks because he’s had no running for the last five or six weeks. Expect him to be back playing after that period of time