Carlton defender Zac Williams will need to prove his fitness at training over the coming days to be cleared to make the trip north to face Sydney on Friday night.
The Blues backman was subbed out of his side's Round 9 loss to Collingwood and did not feature in last week's thrilling win over Melbourne due to glute soreness.
The club took a "conservative" approach with Williams, who returned this season from an extended period on the sidelines following an ACL rupture in February last year, while soft-tissue setbacks have also hampered the 29-year-old during his time at Princes Park.
A track session on Tuesday will likely decide whether Williams is available to return to Michael Voss' side this week, with the Carlton coach facing a selection conundrum following a positive performance in Round 9.
Speaking toย Zero Hanger,ย Williams confirmed he'll need to "tick a few boxes" at training this week but is in line to return for the Swans clash.
"It was annoying I had the glute strain, I think the club was just being pretty conservative given past injuries and everything. So I just sat out this week and the boys got the job done," Williams said.
"I've got to train tomorrow and put my hand up for selection and tick a few boxes. Until then, I can definitely say I'll be back playing.
"I've still got to tick a few things off, but we'll go from there."
The Blues could be forced into at least two changes this week, with midfielder Adam Cerra dealing with a fresh hamstring concern while ruckman Marc Pittonet is said to be in some doubt for selection after requiring surgery on an injured finger.
The Blues face premiership fancies Sydney at the SCG on Friday in what will be the latest litmus test for Voss' men, who have secured wins over GWS and Melbourne while coming close to Collingwood and Geelong in the past month.
A "squad mentality" and a focus on growth over the past month have helped shape Carlton's finals push. After ongoing internal discussions, Williams was left excited by the club's prospects.
"Vossy and Crippa (Patrick Cripps) have mentioned over the past couple of weeks that it's a squad mentality effort," the Narandera native said on Monday.
"Over the last few weeks the boys have really bought into what the coaches are putting out there in terms of gameplan. It's awesome, but we've still got a long way to go, it's still only Round 10. There's a lot of football still to be played.
"We feel like we're going in the right direction. Obviously there's some things to work on but we have a growth mindset at the football club."
Carlton is set to play in front of another heaving crowd this week after recording strong attendance numbers across their opening nine matches this season.
Going up against 2024's ladder leaders in enemy territory is the latest blockbuster affair for the Blues, who are itching to show their worth this week.
"They are absolutely flying at the moment, all their boys are playing some really good football," Williams said of the Swans, who have an 8-1 record.
"It's gonna be a tough task going up there and playing at the SCG, but we want to be playing in big games and playing the best sides in the comp, which we have over the last few weeks.
"It's a good measurement to see where we're at and where we can get better as a football team, but also acknowledge what areas we're going after and executing in our gameplan.
"It's a big game Friday night. Everyone is looking forward to it."
Carlton face Sydney at the SCG at 7:40pm (AEST) on Friday, with the Blues to wear their Indigenous jumper designed by Williams' cousin Stewart James, a Wiradjuri man of the Narrandera Murrumbidgee River People.
