Carlton's lesser lights are under the microscope through the pre-season, with new coach Mick Malthouse determined to learn what talent is at his disposal.

The three-time premiership coach will make his game-day debut for the Blues on Sunday in round one of the NAB Cup against the Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown International Sportspark.

Former captain Chris Judd, ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, key forward Jarrad Waite and midfielder Heath Scotland are missing from the Blues squad, but Malthouse said on Thursday those stars have nothing to prove to him. 

It's the players below the top tier at Carlton who will interest Malthouse the most through the NAB Cup.

"There's a real big group of players that I don't know a lot about," Malthouse said.

"They're the ones who are going to play through this series to see who can put their hand up in round one."

Waite is the only captaincy candidate not playing on Sunday, with Kade Simpson, Nick Duigan, Andrew Carrazzo and Marc Murphy all in the squad.

Meanwhile, Sam Rowe will resume his playing career eight months after completing chemotherapy treatment for testicular cancer.

Rowe, taken with Carlton’s second round selection (No.62 overall) in the 2011 AFL Draft, has been named in Carlton's 33-man squad.