LIAM Jones' remarkable rebirth as a defender is set to be rewarded, with the former forward close to a new deal with Carlton.

Jones' manager told AFL.com.au recently the 198cm Tasmanian was keen remain at Ikon Park to be part of an emerging key-defensive division with promising youngsters Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman.

Recalled to the senior side for his first game of the season for the round 12 clash with Greater Western Sydney, the 26-year-old has been a revelation against some of the AFL's best key forwards.

Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told SEN on Tuesday morning that Jones' outstanding jobs on Giant Jon Patton, Gold Coast's Tom Lynch, Adelaide's Taylor Walker and Tiger Jack Riewoldt were worthy of a new contract with the Blues.

"We'll get through his contract, we are close," McKay said.

"We're in good discussion with his management at the moment, so it shouldn't be too far away.

"Jonesy is playing some good footy for us, which is fantastic."

McKay said he could understand why many had written off the former Bulldog after he'd played only 17 games and kicked 16 goals in the first two seasons of a three-year deal.

"To be honest, I'd imagine a number of people would have been thinking this is Liam's last year with us at the start of the year, so it's a real credit to him to turn it around like he has," McKay said.

"He's had a really good year, and he's spent a lot of that time in the Northern Blues for us," McKay said.

"He needed six or seven games (in the VFL) before we put him up to senior level.

"Everyone is talking about the revelation of him going back and playing well, and he's certainly delivering for us."