Carlton coach Brendon Bolton says key forward Levi Casboult remains a part of the club's future despite him being dumped for their AFL clash with Brisbane.
The 28-year-old Casboult has managed just 12 goals from nine games this season and a goalless, four-disposal game last week has cost him his spot in the team for Saturday's trip to the Gabba.
Ruckman Matthew Kreuzer is among four inclusions for the Blues and is set to anchor their forward line in Casboult's absence.
The decision to drop Casboult, who is off-contract at the end of next season, has raised questions about his future amid the emergence of promising young key forward Harry McKay, who has been named as an emergency this week.
Bolton insists there is no cause for alarm, saying the competition for spots up forward is healthy for the bottom-placed Blues.
"We think he's just got to grow in some of his impact up forward and some inconsistencies in that," Bolton told reporters at Melbourne Airport on Friday.
"What I love about Levi is he accepted he didn't play to the level he'd like last week and he's had a really strong week on the track. He'll work hard to rectify it so I'm sure he'll be back in time.
"There's no pecking order at our football club. It's an earned right.
"There's some inconsistencies last week like there was with Harry a few weeks ago. The great thing about that is there's a fight for a position up forward."
Dale Thomas, Caleb Marchbank and Lochie O'Brien will also return for the Blues while the Lions are unchanged.
Rising Star nominee Paddy Dow has been rested, Jarrod Garlett (ankle) is unavailable and Aaron Mullett has been dropped.
Bolton is expecting a tough challenge from the 17th-placed Lions, who impressed last week during a 55-point thumping of Fremantle in Perth.
With just one win to their name, the rebuilding Blues are yet to taste victory on the road but would love to tick off that milestone before the end of the season.
"It's a learning opportunity and just a little bit more validation," Bolton said.
"If you get one on the road, it always helps."
