GOLD Coast could be faced with a selection dilemma ahead of Sunday's home match against Carlton with lively small forward Ben Ainsworth set to return from injury well ahead of schedule. 

Ainsworth suffered a knee injury in the opening round against St Kilda and was initially expected to miss up to six weeks.

However, he ran strongly at Suns training on Wednesday morning and is in line for a recall against the Blues.

"He's come to hand really quickly and looked after himself," coach Stuart Dew said. 

"He'll train again Friday but he's a big chance to be available for selection. 

"Moving today, he looks really good." 

Gold Coast has had an unchanged team in winning the past two weeks, but Ainsworth is one of its most explosive players and would demand a spot if fit. 

He's not the only player seeking to return from injury, with George Horlin-Smith also putting his hand up after missing the past fortnight with a tight back.

MATCH PREVIEW Gold Coast v Carlton

"That'll be a headache later in the week, hopefully it's a good one," Dew said. 

The Suns are seeking to make it three straight wins on Sunday, but are wary of the winless Blues. 

In round 19 last season Carlton came to Metricon Stadium and gave the Suns a hammering just seven days after Gold Coast sprang the upset of the year against Sydney. 

"We're a different footy club," Dew said.

"The challenge now is to handle the expectation and go through the process and come ready to play.

"They're playing a hard brand of footy.

"Contested possession is right up, tackling, they're pressuring opposition and might argue they haven't got the reward for effort. 

"We've got similar timeline (for improvement) and competitiveness, so we're looking forward to it."

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