CARLTON assistant coach Rob Wiley enjoyed his one-week stint in the top job, but he and the Blues are thrilled to have Mick Malthouse back for Sunday's NAB Challenge clash against Collingwood in Bendigo.

Malthouse will make his return to the coach's box after missing the Blues' first pre-season hit-out against West Coast in Mandurah to support wife Nanette, who underwent investigative surgery late last month.

Wiley stepped up to lead an inexperienced Blues line-up through a 31-point loss to the Eagles, but he said he was happy to move aside for the return of the master coach.

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"I thought he (Malthouse) was ready to take over," Wiley said with a smile.

"It's great to have him back, and it's great that his wife Nanette is going really well."

The Blues will be strengthened for the game against the Pies by the likely return of Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison, Andrew Carrazzo and Lachie Henderson.

"Most of our players are available for selection," Wiley said.

"We have training today and we'll finalise [that later], but there's no secret there'll be a different format."

As flagged earlier in the week, captain Marc Murphy will miss the game against the Pies, but Wiley said the club was confident he would be fit to take his place against Geelong on March 22.

Wiley said the Blues were also holding out hope athletic defender Andrew Walker would come up for round one.