Carlton recruit Mitch McGovern's poor fitness has left his AFL return date uncertain, with the Blues conceding they rushed him into playing before he was ready.

The axed forward is set to be put through a gruelling training block under club fitness boss Andrew Russell, having struggled with his conditioning since arriving at the end of last season from Adelaide.

AFL great Wayne Carey this week wrote in The Age that McGovern risked flushing away his potential, but caretaker coach David Teague admits the Blues contributed to his issues by playing him when he was underdone earlier in the year.

Mitch McGovern 'hits to hurt' when he tackles, says Blues caretaker coach David Teague. Credit:AAP

"He came in with two ankle operations and he broke his back, so he's had a really interrupted pre-season," Teague said on Friday.