CARLTON interim coach John Barker hasn't indicated if he'll stay at the Blues beyond this season after missing out on the full-time position to Hawthorn assistant Brendon Bolton this week.

Barker said he was "pretty philosophical" about losing the job to Bolton, but believed the caretaker experience had given him "really good grounding" in terms of what it took to be a senior coach.

He said the Blues had indicated they would like him to remain at the club next year but he declined to comment on where he believed he would end up.

"What happens in the future will take care of itself in good time," Barker said on Friday, as the Blues prepared to depart Melbourne ahead of their clash with Greater Western Sydney.

"Right now I've got two weeks to coach and I'm looking forward to getting that done.

"What I know is I'm going to work really hard on growing as a coach but also just as hard to keep growing as a person.

"Carlton's in really good hands. I've worked with Brendon at Hawthorn and he's a really good coach.

"Carlton's really handed me a great opportunity and it's been invaluable experience, and I think I've grown as a coach through that period, and I've enjoyed every minute of the last 12 weeks."

Barker also wouldn't be drawn on whether he would apply for either of the vacant Essendon or Adelaide senior positions.

It isn't known if Bolton, who officially finished at the Hawks on Friday, will travel to Sydney to watch the clash with the Giants.

He didn't travel with the team on Friday morning, with the Hawks leaving for Launceston at the same time but it has been suggested he'll fly on Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, Chris Yarran has been recalled to the Blues' side after three weeks in the VFL.

Barker said the half-back had made the necessary adjustments to get another chance at senior level.

"There were areas of his game that needed improving in terms of his effort and application, and he's shown that," he said.

"Over the last couple of weeks, there's been improvement in that area and we expect that to translate to tomorrow afternoon."

While he wouldn't be drawn on Yarran's future at the club, he was much more confident Matthew Kreuzer would remain a Blue despite the ruckman's non-committal stance this week.

"I've got a gut feel. He's a Carlton man," he said.

"We all know that."

The Blues have lost captain Marc Murphy, Andrew Carrazzo and Kristian Jaksch to injury this week, which means 19 players are unavailable.

Barker admitted it had been a challenge at the selection table but was buoyed by what it would do for the youngsters in the side.

"We just keep losing senior players and it's made life tough," he said.

"At the end of the day, young guys get experience and opportunities.

"We do become a little bit vulnerable from that point of view but the experience that the young guys get I'm sure will be invaluable."