CARLTON captain Marc Murphy is not under any immediate pressure to inform the Blues of where he will be playing next season, coach Brendon Bolton says.
Murphy, who is a free agent at season's end, is yet to make a call on his future having not yet re-signed with the Blues beyond 2018.
The 30-year-old met with his manager this week to discuss his plans, though it remains unclear whether the Blues skipper intends to see out his career at Ikon Park.
However, with just 10 games remaining in Carlton's season, Bolton does not believe Murphy should be rushed into telling the Blues where his future lies.
"I'm not putting pressure (on Murphy)," Bolton said.
"They'll work that through in time. Once we know, we know. As long as Murph is giving, that's all I care about. Is he giving to our club? Categorically yes. Is he a wanted player? Categorically yes.
"It will work its way through. I know what the free agency market is there for. That's what it's designed to do, for players to explore. We're really hopeful and wanting that he stays."
Bolton also revealed he would have no issue selecting players who inform him of their plans to leave the club mid-season, provided they earn their place in his side.
His comments come after Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury called for more maturity when it comes to free agency, saying players should be able to announce their intentions when they see fit – rather than waiting until season's end.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has publicly stated he isn't a fan of such actions, which frequently occur in competitions like the NRL, but Bolton had a different view on the issue.
"They won't lose selection integrity," he said.
"You play what's in form. Provided everyone is aligned and living our values and wanting to run our system, it is what it is.
"I'm happy to play those on form and mature enough to understand that."
Carlton will look to respond from a disappointing first-half performance against Fremantle last week when it takes on arch-rival Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.
Bolton said his players challenged each other on the track this week, having conceded 12 unanswered goals during a horror first half against the Dockers last round.
"I challenged and they challenged each other as well, we're in this together and it was a really strong review," Bolton said.
"Our focus now is all around pressure and education in system. We're inconsistent with our pressure at the moment and we've got some inconsistencies with running our system. It's not just one or the other, it's both."
