YOUNG defender Tom Williamson is likely to miss the remainder of the season suffering a setback in his return from a back injury.

The 19-year-old received a knock and landed awkwardly in the first quarter of the Northern Blues’ clash against Essendon at Ikon Park on Saturday.

“After a couple of games back in the VFL, unfortunately Tom landed a bit awkwardly in the VFL game this week,” McKay said.

“As a result, his back spasmed. We got it scanned on Sunday which has revealed a bit of a hotspot in his back so we’re going to be really conservative in his treatment and recovery.

“Unfortunately, he’s likely to be out for the remainder of the season but we’ll monitor that as time goes on.”

The injuries were mounting in the VFL game on Saturday with Nick Graham (calf) and Harrison Macreadie (hamstring) failing to see out the game alongside Williamson, but there is positive news for Graham who is likely to be available for selection this weekend.

“Nick’s calf tightened up during the VFL on the weekend which stopped him playing the second half. He’s pulled up well considering and he will be running again amongst other things this week, so we’re just going to have to see how he pulls up after a decent training (session) later in the week,” McKay said.

“However, Harrison strained his hamstring. It is your regulation type of hamstring injury so he will be sidelined for approximately three weeks.”

Key forward Levi Casboult (rib) is a chance for an earlier-than-expected return from a fractured rib sustained in the Blues’ Round 7 clash against Adelaide in early May.

“Levi is obviously managing that rib but he has been training really well in the past week or so, and will be training again over the coming days before being a test later in the week,” McKay said.

Meanwhile, veteran Alex Silvagni (achilles) could be in line for an awaited return this weekend, with the defender overcoming an achilles issue in recent weeks.

“Alex has been out for quite some time with that irritable achilles tendon. He’ll be a test at the end of this week and we’re confident he’ll get up to play the VFL this weekend which is really pleasing,” McKay said.

“Cillian (McDaid) has also been out with that sore foot and he’ll now face a test at the end of the week but we’re confident he’ll be able to get up and play for the VFL.”

Captain Marc Murphy continues in his recovery from a plantar fascia injury and will be monitored in his return to full fitness.

“Marc is still out with that plantar fascia injury and is still tracking along in that 3-4 week bracket on the sidelines before he is fit to play," McKay said.

Both Caleb Marchbank (ankle) and Matthew Kennedy (ankle) will be in line to return following the Blues’ bye round managing ankle injuries, as well as fellow youngster Jarrod Pickett (scaphoid).

“Caleb is still managing that bone bruising so he won’t be ready for a few weeks, more than likely after the bye round before we see him back out there,” McKay said.

“Jarrod is tracking well from that scaphoid injury. He had the pin out a few weeks ago and is training really well but we won’t see him until after the bye. Likewise, Matthew still has some bone bruising around that ankle and he’s been out for a few weeks now. He’s still a couple of weeks away so we’re more than likely to see him back after the bye too.”

Meanwhile, Kym Lebois (collarbone) and Ciaran Byrne (quad) have resumed training duties with the playing group and will collectively eye off a return to full fitness in the coming weeks.

“Kym Lebois is coming back from a fractured collarbone. He’s training with the group but is still a couple of weeks away," McKay said.

“Ciaran is recovering from the strained quad he’s been managing. We are being ultra conservative with that treatment so he will still be another three weeks or so away.”

INJURY LIST - 29 MAY:

Nick Graham (calf) – test

Alex Silvagni (achilles) – test

Cillian McDaid (foot) - test

Levi Casboult (rib) – test

Caleb Marchbank (ankle) – 1-2 weeks

Matthew Kennedy (ankle) – 1-2 weeks

Kym Lebois (collarbone) – 2 weeks

Jarrod Pickett (scaphoid) – 2 weeks

Ciaran Byrne (quad) – 3 weeks

Harrison Macreadie (hamstring) – 3 weeks

Marc Murphy (foot) – 3-4 weeks

Tom Williamson (back) – season

Sam Docherty (knee) - season