CARLTON could receive a massive boost ahead of Saturday night's game against Adelaide, with star ruckman Matthew Kreuzer a strong chance to return from a groin injury.

Key defender Jacob Weitering (corked thigh) could also be available for selection this round. However, Blues captain Marc Murphy (plantar fascia) will be sidelined for at least another week, while defender Ciaran Byrne (quad) faces another six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a setback in his rehabilitation.

Kreuzer has been sorely missed over the past two rounds when the Blues suffered credible losses to West Coast and the Western Bulldogs.

If he proves his fitness to take on the Crows at Adelaide Oval, it will significantly bolster Carlton as it seeks its first win of the season.

"Matthew Kreuzer has been training well this week. He'll be a test at the end of the week, but we're hopeful he'll be available for selection," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told the club's website.

Weitering has also missed Carlton's past two games, having struggled to overcome a badly corked quad.

McKay said the former No.1 draft pick had trained well this week and was expected to be available for selection.

However, Weitering's poor form prior to his injury could mean he returns via the VFL with the Northern Blues.

Murphy has not played since injuring his foot in the warm-up before Carlton's round four loss to North Melbourne, but is closing in on a return.

"Marc is progressing with managing that plantar fascia injury. He's still one to two weeks away from returning, but we're quite hopeful he'll be right to go against Essendon next week," McKay said.

Irishman Ciaran Byrne has been sidelined since round two, and is now unlikely to return before Carlton's round 12 bye.

"Unfortunately, Ciaran Byrne has had a setback with that quad injury. We're going to treat him very conservatively over the next few weeks, but we've had to push his return-to-play date back to another six weeks," McKay said.

In other injury news at Ikon Park, ruckman Matthew Lobbe (hamstring) must pass a fitness test to play this weekend, while midfielder David Cunningham will miss two weeks after suffering a hamstring strain in the Northern Blues' match against Port Melbourne last Saturday.

Veteran defender Alex Silvagni (achilles tendon) will miss another three weeks.