CARLTON is optimistic former skipper Chris Judd will return from injury this Sunday against the Western Bulldogs as the Blues seek to turn their horror start to 2014 around.
 
Judd had Achilles tendon surgery in February and has watched from the sidelines as Carlton has opened the season with four straight losses, including an 81-point thrashing by Essendon in round three and a 23-point loss to downtrodden Melbourne last Saturday.
 
Carlton football manager Andrew McKay told carltonfc.com.au he was optimistic Judd would return against the Bulldogs.
 
"He's got to get through training on Thursday. We've got a big session Thursday, and then follow that up Saturday morning," McKay said.
 
"So he needs to complete those two training sessions to even be considered, but early signs are looking positive."
 
If the Blues' loss to the Demons was not bad enough, they ended the game with a raft of injuries.
 
Mitch Robinson (jarred knee) was a late withdrawal from the Blues' team, while Dale Thomas (shoulder), Michael Jamison (calf) and Troy Menzel (corked hamstring) were all injured during the game.
 
McKay said he was confident Robinson, who has returned to full training this week, and Thomas would play against the Bulldogs.
 
"Daisy (Thomas) got a knock in the shoulder … a 'stinger' I think they call it, where you lose a bit of feeling in that shoulder and the arm," McKay said.
 
"Certainly the scans are all clear and indicate he's ready to go."
 
But Jamison and Menzel remain in doubt and will have to prove their fitness at training on Thursday.
 
Twitter: @AFL_Nick.