There were claps, cheers and ruffling of hair at Carlton’s training session today, as the players congratulated two of their teammates.

Heath Scotland will take to the field for his 200th Carlton game, in tomorrow night’s clash with Essendon at the MCG.

While Andrew McInnes will face a fitness test, as he readies himself to return from almost a year out of football with an injured knee.

Chris Judd, Kane Lucas and Rob Warnock are also a chance to return from injury, while Eddie Betts is available for selection after serving his suspension.

It means there’ll be some tough decisions at the selection table, but Carlton Coach Mick Malthouse says it’s a nice problem to have.

“The toughness of it is having numbers, which is terrific.”

“In the past, we seem to have not been very consistent in having the same 22 available, through injuries, suspension and that sort of stuff. So we’re getting them back, it’s a credit to the Club’s medical team.”

Tomorrow night’s match will mark the 140th anniversary of Carlton’s rivalry with Essendon, the two sides having first met on June 7, 1873.

But Malthouse says he’s not getting caught up in history.

“It might be good for media, and it might be good for supporters, but every week is approached identically. If the system is right and you attack it the right amount, the players are switched on regardless of who you play.”