CARLTON coach Brendon Bolton has backed Jacob Weitering to recapture his best form, confirming the out-of-sorts young gun will play against Collingwood on Friday night.

Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (groin) and former Giants midfielder Matthew Kennedy (ankle) are also locked in to return for the MCG clash against the Blues' arch-rivals.

Weitering, 20, has had an inauspicious start to the season, struggling to contain Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt in round one before having no impact as a forward against Gold Coast.

There were suggestions Carlton might have to send 2015's No.1 draft pick back to the VFL – and Bolton did not rule that out post-match last week – as the Blues did with Jack Silvagni.

Silvagni will spend at least another week at state league level.

But Bolton told journalists on Thursday he never considered dropping Weitering back to the VFL.

"I think he played a really good game in the JLT (Community Series) against Hawthorn and the last few weeks, Jacob will admit he's been a bit down," Bolton said.

"It just shows the power of the mind.

"He's got real clarity this week on his role down back, focusing on that, and it's just typical of a young guy in his third year, making sure their thoughts dictate their actions and that's a learned behaviour."

Weitering made a huge impression in his debut season in 2016 playing in the backline, but started last year in attack, kicking three goals on Alex Rance, then finished it in defence.

Bolton swung him forward again in round two due to "circumstances", with Kreuzer being a late out and triggering a series of moves that saw key forward Levi Casboult take over ruck duties.

The third-year coach said Weitering's form woes were not linked to his constant positional changes.

"We by and large want to play him as a defender," Bolton said.

"Circumstances prevailed last week where … we needed a stronger body up forward, hence he moved there.

"But I've said this multiple times about all our players – we want to solidify them in a position first, let them master it, then build them into a player that can play in multiple positions."