ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia's defense will be at full strength when it takes on Auburn Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS). Starting MIKE linebacker Natrez Patrick, who has missed the past four games due to suspension, will be back according to fellow inside linebacker Reggie Carter.

"It's great to have everybody back and the young guys with experience under their belt and having a leader on our defense like Natrez back," Carter said.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart was asked about Patrick's potential return during his Monday press conference but side stepped the question, saying that his discipline would be handled "internally."

The junior from Atlanta was arrested the Thursday night before Georgia's game with Vanderbilt for possession of marijuana. Since that's his second offense, he is subject to a four-game suspension according to the UGA student-athlete handbook. He missed the Vanderbilt, Missouri, Florida, and South Carolina games.

Carter missed a pair of those games himself with a concussion, leaving the Bulldogs short-handed at that spot. They had to rely heavily on junior Juwan Taylor and freshman Monty Rice, and Smart credits the UGA coaching staff the lack of a drop off with those two players out. Carter returned for the Florida game and has 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, a half sack and a pass break up in two games.

He expects that Patrick, who has spent the last few weeks helping on the scout team, to be ready when his name is called against Auburn.

"Very hungry. He did a great job with the demonstration squad (scout team)," Carter said. "He's hungry. He's ready to get back out there.

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