Carlton will be without ruckman Andrew Phillips for at least a couple of weeks after he strained a hamstring at training during the week.
Phillips will join No.1 draft pick Jacob Weitering (shoulder) on the sidelines for the clash against Collingwood.
But the Blues will be bolstered by the return of Andrew Walker for his first game since round one, after shaking off a calf injury. Patrick Cripps and Andrejs Everitt are also big inclusions.
And the Blues may yet spring another late change ahead of the game if Collingwood recalls emergency Travis Cloke for Saturday's game.
Key defender Michael Jamison, who has missed the past three weeks after playing the opening three rounds, has been named an emergency and looks the likely addition if Collingwood pulls a selection surprise.
Bolton resisted the option of bringing Jamison back into the team after he copped a heavy knock and sat out the last three quarters of the Northern Blues' VFL clash last week.
However, the veteran defender trained with the main group at Friday's session and looms as a likely minder for Cloke if the big Magpie comes into the side.
"All teams have contingencies and if he plays we'll work out how to go through that and in match committee we'll assess that," Bolton said.
Meanwhile, Bolton is slowly coming to grips with the magnitude of the storied Magpies-Blues rivalry.
Buoyed by back-to-back wins against Fremantle and Essendon, the Blues head into this week's contest against a banged-up Magpies unit with quiet confidence.
The rookie senior coach said playing for the Peter Mac Cup added to the special significance of the occasion.
"I'm only really just starting to understand it but that's exciting," Bolton said.
"Rivalries are a great thing in footy clubs."
With a win-loss record of 2-4, the pressure is well and truly on Collingwood to start delivering on the promise it displayed in pre-season.
Along with Cloke, the Magpies are also missing Taylor Adams, Nathan Brown, Tom Langdon, Ben Sinclair, Travis Varcoe, Dane Swan, Tyson Goldsack, Marley Williams and Jamie Elliott from their first-choice lineup.
But Bolton rejected claims Nathan Buckley's side was "vulnerable".
"We're going to face a really determined Collingwood," Bolton said. "I wouldn't think the Pies are vulnerable."
"I don't know what's in their mindset, but if there is (pressure in their minds) we'll take it."
