CARLTON vice-captain Michael Jamison believes Matthew Kreuzer's true professionalism will ensure he returns to the field soon, saying no one is better equipped to bounce back from a horror run of injury than the ruckman.
And veteran Blues utility Andrew Walker remains hopeful he can shake off a persistent knee problem to line up for the Blues when they open the premiership season against Richmond on April 2.
Kreuzer fractured his right foot during an intra-club match on Thursday and will be in a moon boot for at least the next four weeks, ensuring he will miss the early rounds of the 2015 season.
Malthouse talks on the backburner
A right foot fracture that required two operations sidelined Kreuzer for all bar one game last season, but the latest fracture is to a different part of his foot.
Jamison said on Wednesday that everyone at Carlton was behind Kreuzer in his bid to return to the field this season.
"He (Kreuzer) had a flawless pre-season (before his injury) which was something that he really enjoyed because he hasn't had too many of them," Jamison said at the Blues' community camp in Shepparton.
"To have this little setback is really disappointing for him and the club because we were all really looking forward to ‘Kreuz’ getting out there in round one.
"If anyone can overcome a situation like this there's no doubt it's Matty because he's certainly been through it before and he's just got the mindset of a true professional."
Walker had knee surgery in July last year after managing lingering soreness for much of 2014's first 17 rounds.
But the 28-year-old had further surgery on his knee before Christmas when his rehabilitation program stalled.
"I had some complications just before Christmas so I had some more surgery," Walker said.
"So I'm about six weeks into that part of my rehab and still aiming for round one.
"The aim is to try and get the one NAB Challenge game in (Carlton's final pre-season game is against Geelong on March 22 at Etihad Stadium) and then go straight into the season.
"The rehab is pretty intense at the minute and I'm just trying to give myself every opportunity to be in selection (contention) for round one."
The Blues trained at Rumbalara Football and Netball Club on Wednesday morning after Walker, who grew up in Echuca, took his teammates on a tour of the local Yorta Yorta lands on Tuesday.
"It was a good opportunity for me to get the boys out to some of the Yorta Yorta land and give them a bit of a different experience," Walker said.
"My uncle Col, my pop Archie and my dad Rob were there so it was a really good family event for me.
"But also it was great just to show the boys a bit of my culture … and show them why I love coming back to the country so much."
