It’s nearing ten months since Andrew McInnes’ right knee buckled in that ill-fated affair against Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium. But the good news is that “Andy Mac” is close to resuming at senior level, according to Carlton’s other Andy Mack, the General Manager – Football Operations Andrew McKay.

McKay said McInnes, who underwent reconstructive surgery to get his knee right, was on schedule for a mid-year return.

“Andy’s going really well,” McKay said. “He’s now doing straight line skills and there’ll be a week or two of that, before he eases in to normal skills for another week or two, and then the competitive training to ensure he is ready to play.”

Recruited to Carlton through the Dandenong Under 18s, McInnes was taken in the fourth round of the 2010 AFL draft at selection 67 - the selection relinquished by the Crows with pick 34 in the Sam Jacobs transfer.

Since sporting the No.26 guernsey into his first senior match - the 15th round contest with Collingwood at the MCG last year - McInnes impressed in eight appearances with his no-nonsense approach in the back half.

As he revealed in a previous interview: “It probably took me two games before I felt comfortable out there playing with my teammates.

Carlton Injury List:

Andrew Carrazzo
Calf
Test

Bryce Gibbs
Hamstring
Test

Nick Graham
Knee
5 weeks

Matthew Kreuzer
Thumb
Test

Andrew McInnes
Knee
5 weeks

Rhys O’Keeffe
Foot
Indefinite