JOHN Barker will be hard to overlook as the next Carlton coach if he claims “a few more wins”, injured star Dale Thomas says.

The Blues have noticeably improved since the former Hawthorn journeyman took the reigns following Mick Malthouse's sacking.

Barker has coached six games for two wins and four losses but the group’s effort and intensity has returned.

"He's doing a fantastic job at the minute, but the decision is by no means locked in," Thomas said.

"The boys have certainly rallied around the way he's getting us to play, and the way he wants to play.

"A few more wins and his case would be hard to look past at the end of the season.”

Thomas said he expected the coaching search still had a long way to go, despite CEO Steven Trigg previously saying Barker had a big advantage over the field.

"At the minute it's down to a final 20, so there's still obviously a lot to go in that regard,” he said.

Thomas had season ending shoulder surgery in June.

The 28-year-old joined Carlton on a four-year contract at the end of the 2013 season, following his long-time mentor Malthouse to Princes Park.

Carlton travels to face Fremantle at Domain Stadium on Saturday night.