Nick Dal Santo has dropped some important Carlton news on SEN Afternoonsย on Wednesday, suggesting the Blues could lose Irishman Ciaran Byrne.

Bryne came to the Blues in the 2014 Rookie Draft and has played 22 games for the club, although Dal Santo understands he's back in Ireland and may not return to see out the remainder of his contract.

โ€œHeโ€™s gone back to Ireland and may not be coming back to Australia and that really worries the Blues hierarchy,โ€ Dal Santo toldย SEN Afternoons.

The 23-year-old has one year remaining on his current deal, after playing seven games for Carlton this season.

SEN Afternoonsย host and Carlton tragic, Andy Maher, was shocked by the news, and believes it will be a big blow for the Blues if he doesn't return.

โ€œI think heโ€™s exceptionally gifted, heโ€™s never had a run at it,โ€ Maher said.

โ€œIn terms of players coming over from Ireland โ€“ he could be elite โ€“ the best two or three Irish players who have ever played the game.

โ€œJim Stynes and Tadgh Kennelly โ€“ I could see his name being in that company if he was allowed to get a run at it.

โ€œIโ€™m devastated if thatโ€™s true. That flattens me no end if thatโ€™s true, because he is good enough to be part of the next good Carlton team.โ€