Carlton could be without Nick Holman this weekend after the 20-year-old was charged with striking Hawthorn's Luke Breust.

The incident happened in the first quarter of Friday night's game at Etihad Stadium.

Holman can accept a one-match ban with an early guilty plea.

The incident was assessed as careless conduct with medium impact to the head, attracting a two-match ban.

Given Holman doesn't have a bad record he can reduce the sanction to one match with an early plea.

Carlton will assess its options overnight and decide whether to challenge the charge at the AFL Tribunal.