CARLTON will field a more experienced line-up for Sunday's NAB Challenge match against Collingwood, but skipper Marc Murphy will be one of the familiar faces still missing, vice-captain Bryce Gibbs says.

Murphy strained a calf during match simulation on February 20, which ruled him out of the Blues' opening 31-point pre-season loss to West Coast in Mandurah seven days later.

He was expected to play in the Blues' final two pre-season games, however the March 22 clash with Geelong now shapes as the 27-year-old midfielder's only practice match prior to round one against Richmond.

"We're not too sure exactly (who will play on Sunday), but there will be a handful of senior players coming back into the side this week," Gibbs said.

"I don't think 'Murph' will play this week, but he's on track to play next week against Geelong."

In other injury news, the Blues are sweating on the fitness of key players Andrew Walker and Matthew Kreuzer for round one.

Walker suffered a setback to his sore knee that required minor surgery last month, while Kreuzer is still recovering from another foot fracture.

Both players are three weeks into their six weeks' recovery, with the round-one blockbuster against the Tigers only 23 days away.

"(Walker) hopefully might get a (NAB Challenge) game in. If not, he'd be on track for round one," Gibbs said.

"(Kreuzer's) going well. By all reports everything's going to schedule and going to plan. So hopefully he can get back sooner rather than later."

After a long pre-season, Gibbs said he "cannot wait" for the chance to bash into some opponents on Sunday, rather than his teammates at training.

He was one of a host of experienced players who didn't fly west to play the Eagles, including Andrew Carrazzo, Lachie Henderson and Chris Judd.

Despite the defeat, the star midfielder, who is coming off a career-best season averaging nearly 25 disposals and a goal per game, said the Blues still took plenty out of the match.

Recruits Blaine Boekhorst, Clem Smith, Jason Tutt, Kristian Jaksch and Liam Jones pulled on the navy blue for the first time, and Gibbs said the new faces were contributing to a positive vibe at Carlton.

"It's definitely a really good feeling at the moment around the place," Gibbs said.

"We've had a lot of changes over the last couple of years and a lot of new faces. But the team's really jelling really well together and I'm definitely excited for the year ahead."

"We've got a few different personnel up there (in attack), which is exciting. 

"We've been working over pre-season trying to get that chemistry right and I think the boys are shaping up to look pretty dangerous down there. 

"Even us as midfielders will look to hit the scoreboard a bit more, which will help relieve the pressure off them a little bit. It's a bit unpredictable, which is always good."

The Blues, who will release an updated injury list on Tuesday afternoon, are also set to welcome coach Mick Malthouse back against his former club Collingwood after his wife, Nanette, underwent investigative abdomen surgery last month.