CARLTON forward David Cuningham is set to make his long-awaited return to the senior line-up this Saturday at GMHBA Stadium.

The fourth-year Blue finds his way back into the side after an extended period on the sidelines through a knee injury.

Cuningham has missed the last eight rounds with the knee injury sustained in the lead-up to the Round 15 clash with Fremantle.

He makes his way back into the selection mix after returning for the Northern Blues in recent weeks, where he collected 17 disposals and five tackles last weekend.

Cuningham was enjoying a promising campaign prior to his injury, kicking two last-quarter goals in his last senior game against the Western Bulldogs.

The Blues will also get a back-line boost, with key defender Jacob Weitering due to make his return to the line-up after a week on the sidelines.

Weitering missed last week’s victory over the Saints with low-grade groin strain, being replaced by Darcy Lang as a late change before Saturday’s match.

Having trained fully this week, the defender will re-join the back line serviced by Levi Casboult in his absence.

Michael Gibbons will miss Saturday’s clash following a shoulder injury sustained in the third quarter of last weekend’s clash.

While Gibbons played out the remainder of the match and there was no structural damage, soreness limited his training in the days following. It marks the end of a memorable year for Gibbons, who had played every game in his debut season up until this point.

Darcy Lang will also miss the Blues’ last hitout of 2019, having undergone ankle surgery since last week’s clash.

The minor surgery will see Lang sidelined for the remainder of the season in order to make a full recovery in time for pre-season.

Ins: David Cuningham, Jacob Weitering

Outs: Michael Gibbons (shoulder), Darcy Lang (ankle)