Carlton skipper Marc Murphy is keen for Bryce Gibbs to remain in the Blues' leadership group despite his failed attempt to leave the AFL club.
Gibbs sensationally asked to be traded to Adelaide for family reasons in October's trade period, only to see bitter negotiations between Carlton and the Crows amount to nothing.
The star midfielder, who is contracted for another three years, returned to the club for the first time since the trade fiasco on Monday.
Murphy maintained Gibbs' return wasn't awkward for him or his teammates, even though he wanted to play elsewhere, and believes the star midfielder is ready to move on.
"He's a tremendous footballer and person - he loves the footy club and the footy club loves him - so it's great to have him still with us," Murphy told reporters on Monday.
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"He was obviously going through a range of emotions (after the trade didn't go through) ... he was doing it pretty tough.
"(But) he's had a lot of conversations with people at the footy club and I think he's in a really good space now.
"He ran a really good time this morning in one of our trials ... he's in really good condition and looking forward to a big year."
Gibbs was sensationally installed in the Blues' leadership group for the 2007 season by then coach Denis Pagan without having played an AFL game.
The No.1 draft pick was given time to mature away from the group after a year and has been a trusted lieutenant of Murphy's since he took over the captaincy from Chris Judd ahead of the 2013 season.
"We'll go through a process but I'd love to still have him in (the leadership group)," Murphy said.
"He's been a great leader for the footy club and been a great support to me, so I'd love to have him in the leadership group.
"Whether or not he's in that group or not ... we'll find out in the next few months, but he'll still be a leader around the footy club (regardless)."
Murphy's hope is that, with proper off-field support, Gibbs won't seek to leave the club again at next year's trade period.
Murphy suffered a serious ankle injury in round 10 and didn't play again this season, but reported he is in full training and is suffering no lingering effects of the issue.
