CARLTON is eager to give highly-rated youngsters Harry McKay, Charlie Curnow and David Cuningham opportunities at senior level before the season ends, as Blues coach Brendon Bolton looks for a solution to fix his side's misfiring forward line.
However, the Blues won't be rushed into playing the trio, who were selected with picks No.10, 12 and 23 in last year's NAB AFL Draft respectively, before they are ready.
Curnow, who made his debut in round two, has not appeared for Carlton since round five after being struck down with a bout of glandular fever.
McKay, who was sidelined for three months with a back injury, is set to make his comeback in the VFL next week, while Cuningham, who made his return for the Northern Blues in the VFL on after a hip issue on Sunday, is also on the road back.
Click here for Brendon Bolton's full media conference
"Charlie Curnow's back playing. We know he played four or five games at the start of the year and we would have continued to play him, because he's our future," Bolton said.
"We would have had games into McKay by now but he's had some niggles and is starting to come back now.
"Same with Cuningham. In time we'd like to play them, but they just need some continuity in the VFL so that we can select them."
Bolton said they would follow a similar path tread by fellow first-year forward Jack Silvagni, who was made to earn his spot before getting the nod for his debut against Collingwood last week.
"Just like Jack did, he got some continuity and we've got him in and in time he'll progress," Bolton said.
"We're relying on too few to get the job done at the moment.
"But provided they've got enough game-time under them, so that they're not at risk of injury and, two, their form is sound enough, we'll have a look at them."
The Blues kicked just seven goals (four from Dennis Armfield) in a 60-point hiding at the hands of the Crows in greasy conditions at the MCG on Sunday.
Carlton is also at risk of losing key forward Levi Casboult who was reported for a gut punch on Adelaide's Kyle Hartigan in the second quarter.
Bolton said basic errors – highlighted by crucial fumbles by Sam Kerridge and Sam Docherty that gifted the Crows two goals late in the second term – continued to frustrate.
"It is a common pattern that we've had opportunities and been hurt the other way through some errors that we shouldn't make," Bolton said.
"We can make some of the incredibly easy look incredibly difficult."
Midfielder Dale Thomas did not play in the fourth term after tightening up in the right calf, sitting in his tracksuit on the bench with ice on his lower leg.
"We'll assess him during the week and we'll have to scan it and see where it's at," Bolton said.
