Carlton skipper Marc Murphy is an unlikely starter when the Blues take on Collingwood on Sunday as he continues his recovery from a calf strain.
Murphy, 27, suffered the injury in an intra-club match in February, but was expected to return to fitness in time to play in the club's final two NAB Challenge matches.
Sunday's game in Bendigo is outside the club's initial estimate of two-to-three weeks on the sidelines, but teammate Bryce Gibbs allayed fears the injury was more serious than first thought.
"I don't think Murph will play this week, but he's on track for Geelong next week," Gibbs said on Tuesday.
After missing Carlton's first NAB Challenge match against West Coast, Gibbs will make his first appearance in the pre-season series in Bendigo in what will be something of a first for him.
"Since I've been at the club we haven't played Collingwood in a praccy match, so that'll be something different," he said.
"It's probably good for the fans with the rivalry that the two clubs have got, but for us it doesn't matter who we're playing. We're just looking to get a good hitout ahead of round one.
"We're not really too concerned about the result."
Mick Malthouse will return to the coaches box after missing the clash against the Eagles in Mandurah as his wife underwent surgery in Melbourne.
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