Richmond superstar Dustin Martin is in doubt for Thursday's clash with Carlton as the three-time Norm Smith Medal winner battles a bout of illness.
The Tigers will face a tough test against the in-form Blues at the MCG in Round 14, with senior coach Damien Hardwick needing all the firepower possible to dismantle Michael Voss' side.
The Tigers returned to winning ways last week against the Power, however haven't been able to hold onto a top-eight spot after the opening 13 rounds.
They will face the fourth-placed Blues this week, and could do so without Martin.
According to 7 News, the 30-year-old is no certainty to be named as he deals with a non-COVID-related illness.
Martin is understood to have missed the Tigers' training session on Monday and faces a tight turnaround ahead of Thursday night.
The Tigers could welcome back spearhead Tom Lynch however, with the gun forward on the pathway back from a hamstring injury sustained against Essendon in Round 10.
This week's clash firms as a golden chance for the Tigers to assert themselves as finals contenders while earning back bragging rights over the Blues.
The Tigers will host Carlton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 7:20pm (AEST) on Thursday night as they chase their eighth win of the season.