The Blues’ injury list continues to mount, with Dale Thomas and Ciaran Byrne to face fitness tests later this week ahead of the side’s clash with Brisbane on Sunday.

Thomas was a late withdrawal from Carlton’s line-up against the Western Bulldogs after suffering a minor calf strain, and Head of Football Andrew McKay said the veteran would face fitness testing before the team would be finalised.

“Dale was a late withdrawal from Sunday’s game due to his calf. We gave him every chance to get up but we didn’t want to risk him and cause damage to the calf but he’s training this week,” McKay said.

“We’re just going to have to wait and see how he pulls up at the end of the week and test then before we can see whether he will be right or not.”

Having made his return to the senior side for the first time since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in 2016, Irishman Byrne will face testing after suffering a minor groin injury during the Blues’ 20-point loss to the Bulldogs. Youngster David Cuningham will also face tests in the back half of the week after suffering a similar injury.

“Ciaran didn’t make it through the game on the weekend after suffering a slight groin injury,” McKay said.

“The scans are clear which is great, but we’re going to have to test him and make sure he gets through training this week before we can consider selecting him for the game this week.

“David Cuningham didn’t play last week due to a slight groin injury. He’s training this week and we’ll test him at the end of this week to see whether he’s available for selection.” 
 

Fellow defender Alex Silvagni will await specialists’ advice after suffering a knee injury, while Tom Williamson will need to get through training this week before determining his availability for selection.  

“Alex Silvagni hurt his knee again on the weekend which is really unfortunate as he landed on the same spot he did a few weeks ago so he has stirred up that bone bruising. He’ll need to see the specialist so we will have more of an update over the coming days,” McKay said. 

“Meanwhile, Tom Williamson obviously got a knee in the back a number of weeks ago. He’s been recovering really well – he’s back running and training but we need to make sure he can get through training this week.

“All things going well, he’ll be a test at the end of the week, just depending on how he gets through this week.”

Both Dylan Buckley and Caleb Marchbank will miss this weekend’s clash at the Gabba, with Buckley ruled out for two to three weeks after straining his hamstring.

“Unfortunately Dylan Buckley has strained his hamstring. It’s a grade-one hamstring injury meaning he will unfortunately be out for about two to three weeks," McKay said. 

“Caleb obviously landed on that shoulder and although it’s healing really well, he has to build that strength up. He’s back training with the group and he’ll be a test at the end of this week but I expect he’ll still be another week away.” 

In positive news for the Club’s growing injury list, defender Simon White is tracking ahead of schedule in his recovery from a knee injury and will look to return to football next week. 

"Simon White has been progressing really well – he’s actually ahead of time. We don’t think he will be available this week at this stage, but pleasingly, he’ll be in line for next week which is earlier than first anticipated."

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