CARLTON key defender Jacob Weitering is in line to make his return to face Geelong this Saturday.

Weitering missed last week’s victory over St Kilda with a low-grade groin injury sustained during training.

Director of High Performance Andrew Russell is confident when it comes to the fourth-year defender’s chances in getting up for the final round of 2019.

“‘Weiters’ just had an over-stretching episode in training on Thursday. He had a very low-grade muscle injury, so he couldn’t play on the weekend,” Russell said.

“He has recovered really well. He did some straight-line running today: we’re actually really pleased with him.

“He’s going to train on Thursday and at this stage we think he’s a really good chance to get up.”

“We’re playing some pretty attractive football and scoring well: geez, it was loud out there.”



Murph has been very impressive over the last two months. #BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 20, 2019

While Darcy Lang replaced Weitering in the final line-up for Saturday’s match, he finished the match with ankle soreness.

Having been managed throughout the season, Lang will go in for surgery tomorrow and be unavailable for the final round of the season.

“Darcy Lang is going in for surgery tomorrow on an ankle. He’s having a minor procedure,” he said.

“We’ve been managing the ankle and it pulled up sorer than it has post this game.

“We feel like it’s a good opportunity to go and get it done as soon as we possibly can so that he will start pre-season in really good shape.”

One who may still be available for selection is fellow small forward Michael Gibbons, who jarred his shoulder during last week’s win against the Saints.

While Gibbons played out the match after the incident occurred, he pulled up sore in the days following.

“He was able to come back on. He actually did pretty well, we were thinking he may not get back on the ground,” he said.

“He pulled up quite sore. There’s no major structural damage but it would just be a matter of whether he’s good enough and strong enough to play.

“He’ll be a test on Thursday and we’ll see if he gets up.”

"I was really focused and hellbent on breaking my way back into the senior side."



How a mid-season stint with the Northern Blues spurred Jack to work even harder.#BoundByBlue — Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 20, 2019

Carlton forward David Cuningham is one step closer to his senior return after playing the entirety of Sunday’s VFL clash.

Cuningham has missed the last eight games through knee injury but makes his way back into the selection mix for the final round of 2019.

“‘Cunners’ played a full game in the VFL. He moved well, we feel like he’s in a good spot physically now,” he said.

“He’s feeling good about his body and he’s in the selection mix this week, which is a good result.”