PORT Adelaide can entrench itself in the top four as it hosts Carlton in a Thursday night blockbuster.

The Power (8-3) even have room for improvement after cruising against North Melbourne last week, when their midfield finetuned for what looms as a mouth-watering battle with the Blues at the coalface.

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Carlton (7-4) surged back into the top eight with a much-needed victory over Gold Coast and now takes on a side that it thumped by 50 points late last season.

The Blues are yet to beat the Power in all four clashes on their opponent's home deck.

However, they did break through for a first win in eight visits to Adelaide Oval by beating Fremantle there during Gather Round.

Port captain Connor Rozee will miss the clash with an ankle problem, while Willie Rioli is also out injured. Into the side comes forward Charlie Dixon, as well as Ivan Soldo and Francis Evans. The Blues are unchanged.

Port Adelaide v Carlton at Adelaide Oval, 7pm ACST
NO LATE CHANGES

SUBSTITUTES
Port Adelaide: Jeremy Finlayson
Carlton: Jack Carroll