CARLTON looks set to regain Marc Murphy within the next fortnight, with the captain’s impending return from a foot injury a needed boost for the Blues.
Head of Football Andrew McKay revealed the 30-year-old was progressing well in his management of the plantar fascia injury which has sidelined Murphy since Round 9.
“Marc Murphy is progressing really well with that plantar fascia injury. Although he won’t play this week, he’ll only be a week or two away from a return,” he said.
Caleb Marchbank (ankle) is also nearing a return to the field, with the young defender likely to be a week away along with fellow youngster David Cuningham (toe), who was sidelined last week.
“Caleb Marchbank still has that ankle injury from a few weeks ago. He is still another week or so away but we’re looking forward to him coming back into the side then,” McKay said.
On Monday evening, the Blues confirmed veteran defender Alex Silvagni would be ruled out for the remainder of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the Northern Blues’ clash on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, Alex ruptured his achilles tendon in the VFL game against Richmond on the weekend. It’s clearly very disappointing for him and he’ll now be out for the rest of the season,” he said.
"He’ll have surgery on that injury over the coming days."
Meanwhile, there is mixed news for both Cam O’Shea (throat) and Jesse Glass-McCasker (knee) with the pair also suffering respective injuries in the Northern Blues’ clash on Sunday.
“Cam O’Shea got a knock in the throat in the match against Richmond in the VFL,” McKay said.
“He went and had scans on that throat area. It’s fine and it’s bruising in that throat area so he will be a test at the end of the week but we’re confident he’ll play.
“Jesse Glass-McCasker was also injured in that VFL game. He did his medial ligament which was only a minor strain so we expect him to be out for about three weeks.”
Defensive duo Ciaran Byrne and Harrison Macreadie also look set to make their returns from soft-tissue injuries within the next week, while Harry McKay (illness) will be tested this week.
“Ciaran Byrne has been out for quite some time with that quad injury. He’s another week away, and then hopefully back after that,” McKay said.
“And as we know, Harrison Macreadie has been out with that hamstring strain. He’s still another week or so away before we see him back out there.”
INJURY LIST - AS AT JUNE 19
Cam O’Shea – Throat – Test
Harry McKay - Illness - Test
Caleb Marchbank – Ankle – 1 Week
Ciaran Byrne – Quad – 1 Week
David Cuningham - Toe - 1 week
Harrison Macreadie – Hamstring – 1 Week
Marc Murphy – Plantar Fascia - 1–2 Weeks
Jesse Glass McCasker – Knee (Medial) - 3 Weeks
Tom Williamson – Back – Season
Sam Docherty – Knee – Season
Alex Silvagni – Achilles – Season
