Carlton coach provides update on quartet returning from injury, dropped pair

Carlton coach David Teague has provided an injury update on multiple players, suggesting forward Jack Silvagni could return to the senior team this weekend.

Silvagni was listed only a week ago as a month away with a shoulder injury suffered against Collingwood, but the Blues are happy with his progress and want to see how he trains before making a final call.

“Potentially (he’s back this week). He trained Tuesday, having said that it was a light skills day, so he will have to get through training today and they’ll test him I think,” Teague told reporters on Thursday.

Defender Luke Parks made a strong start to his AFL career, playing two games before a minor hamstring setback.

Teague said the 19-year-old would likely also be in the selection mix.

“Luke’s only missed a couple of weeks and even then he trained the full Thursday (last week),” the Blues coach said.

“He’s another one if he trains today, he’s probably more likely to be considered for selection.

Carlton will also welcome back defender Nic Newman and ruckman Tom De Koning through the VFL this weekend.

“They’ll come back through the VFL, they’ve had large chunks off and we won’t play them until they’re ready to perform,” Teague said.

“We’d love both those guys playing AFL footy, but we want them to come in playing well rather than in a position where they’re finding form at AFL level.

“Nic Newman and Tom De Koning will both play VFL.”

Teague hinted that Will Setterfield and Paddy Dow will likely remain in the VFL for another week or so.

The pair were dropped to find form and responded strongly last week, among the best for the Blues playing on-ball against the Lions’ reserves.

“They both showed some really positive signs, but we have been challenging our players,” Teague said.

“We don’t react to events or one game, we react to body of work over a period of time and both those boys have done good work before they went out of the team.

“What we want is players to come in feeling confident and believe. We’re looking at the bigger picture and we want to make these players the best players they can be.”

Carlton takes on Essendon this Sunday with the hopes of picking up their third win.