CARLTON midfielder Adam Bentick believes soon-to-be out of contract teammate Brendan Fevola will remain a Blue beyond this season.
Fevola has been a hot topic of conversation recently amid suggestions Sydney was making a play for the talented forward.
Bentick, 23, said the playing group wants the spearhead to stay a Blue from this season onwards, as his contribution to the side is usually indicative of its success.
"I suppose when the big names come out of contract, there's a lot of rumours and innuendo surrounding their contract negotiations, but from a player's point of view, we'd love him to stay," he said, on Channel 7's Game Day on Sunday morning.
"I do [expect him to stay]. I hope he does. He's obviously our No.1 forward, and when he plays well, we're obviously hard to beat.
"I really do hope he stays and I think most of the players do as well."
Bentick also said club captain Chris Judd, who missed last Saturday's 30-point win over Richmond following a concussion sustained in round 13, will return to the side for Friday night's clash with St Kilda at the MCG.
"At this stage, I think Chris will play," he said.
"We had training on [Saturday] morning and he trained fully, so I would imagine at this stage, he'd be right to go.
"He wasn't feeling too well after the Essendon game with a bit of concussion, but he had the Richmond game off and this week with the bye so he's effectively had two weeks off and he'll be right to go."