CARLTON is preparing to lose out-of-contract midfielder Kane Lucas, confirming he's on the trade table.

 

Lucas played only seven games this season after managing 17 in 2013.

 

Blues list manager Shane Rogers suggested the 23-year-old was a wanted player by the club but said that until he signed he'd be considered trade bait.

 

"Kane's looking for opportunities, he's not 100 per cent on the trade table but he is out of contract," Rogers told NAB AFL Trade Radio.

 

"Most players and their managers (in that position) will put them on the table regardless.

 

"Until Kane gets signed, [that he's up for trade is] probably something that could be said."

 

Carlton appears set to enter heavy negotiations with the Western Bulldogs this NAB AFL Trade Period as it tries to secure the services of forward Liam Jones and utility Jason Tutt.

 

Bulldog Shaun Higgins has also been linked to the Blues, but Rogers ruled out the free agent joining the club.

 

He said Jones had agreed to terms with the Blues and was confident a trade could be quickly achieved.

 

Given that Jones only played 10 games for the Bulldogs this season, Rogers is confident the Blues' third-round pick (No. 43) will be enough to snare the 23-year-old.

 

"We've come to terms with Liam so now we've just got to get the actual deal done – it's always the hardest part," he said.

 

"The Bulldogs are reasonable people so that might be one of the first ones.

 

"Our third rounder's a very early pick as well so we'd hope that that would get it done."

 

Rogers confirmed the Blues' mutual interest in Tutt.

 

But whereas Rogers expected Jones' switch of clubs to be relatively straightforward, he said the Tutt trade would be a little trickier.

 

"A player with speed, kicks the ball well, he's a late starter to footy – started at 17 - probably hasn't fulfilled his ability yet and looking for another opportunity," he said.

 

"That will probably go closer to the actual end of trade that one, that'll be a bit more difficult to get done.

 

"It'll depend on other things that we're doing."

 

The Blues are also keen to snare Greater Western Sydney key forward Kristian Jacksch.

 

The 19-year-old would help to offset the loss of Jarrad Waite.

 

However Carlton is in a difficult position to facilitate the trade, with its first-round pick (No.6) being too high and its second-round pick (No.26) too low.

 

"Pick 13, 14 – somewhere around there – that's probably about where he fits in," Rogers said.

 

"We're reticent to give [pick No.6] up, so we'll have to try to work out some other things.

 

"We'd be hopeful we could get that done, but that might be a difficult trade to get done."

 

And there has been only mild curiosity from opposition clubs in acquiring Mitch Robinson and Jeff Garlett.

 

The pair is up for trade after their involvement in a 5am brawl in August.

 

While the trade period is yet to officially start, Rogers said neither player had drawn any concrete interest.

 

"Jeff's a little bit in the same boat as 'Mitchy Robo' – so he's on the table and again it's not for playing ability it's for more that off-field stuff," he said.

 

"No one's come to see us yet to say that they're definitely going to take him or pick him up."