Carlton have confirmed forward Jack Silvagni won't play in the club's first final due to injury, however the father-son Blue has avoided significant damage to his knee.
Silvagni underwent an arthroscope on Thursday after suffering a setback in his VFL return last weekend, with the Blues having required the past few days to assess the ailment before gaining a better understanding of the injury.
The knee sprain hasn't concluded Silvagni's 2023 campaign, but it won't allow the 25-year-old to play in Carlton's first final in two weeks' time.
Carlton have secured their September return and will face GWS on Sunday afternoon to potentially book a home elimination final to mark their first post-season showing in a decade.
A win over the Giants at Marvel Stadium will see Michael Voss' men face the eighth-placed side, which could be any of GWS, Sydney, St Kilda or the Western Bulldogs.
A loss could see the Blues slide as low as seventh and play in an away elimination final against either the Saints or Swans.
Carlton's Round 24 prospects have been buoyed by the returns of midfield pair Sam Walsh and Adam Cerra from hamstring injuries, while defender Mitch McGovern (hamstring) and forward Lachie Fogarty (soreness) have also been recalled.
The quartet of inclusions come as captain Patrick Cripps is rested to manage soreness, while Sam Docherty is also battling with soreness on the eve of finals and has been pulled from the team.
Ruckman Marc Pittonet and defender Caleb Marchbank were both omitted from the team that defeated the Gold Coast Suns in Round 23. Either of the demoted pair could be named as the tactical sub to face the Giants however after joining Ed Curnow and Corey Durdin on the Blues' list of emergencies.
Carlton will host GWS at Marvel Stadium at 6:10pm (AEST) on Sunday.