George Hewett still in doubt as Blues plot first win on the road

A key Carlton midfielder remains under an injury cloud as Michael Voss’ Blues prepare for a raid on GWS in Sydney.

A hand injury suffered in round 1 could keep George Hewett out for another week. Picture: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

Important Carlton on-baller George Hewett remains in doubt with a hand injury as the Blues prepare for their first away game of the season.

The strong-bodied midfielder will be assessed at training on Thursday and could end up playing while wearing a glove as the Blues plan to take on the Giants’ inside bulls in Sydney.

Carlton coach Michael Voss said he was still optimistic Hewett would be available for Saturday’s clash.

“He’ll still be assessed today, so we’re hoping he’ll be available … we’ve still got to go through the test for him today, but if he goes fine at training he’ll be right to go,” Voss said.

“He may end up playing with a glove if he does.”

Ed Curnow will likely again play a more prominent role in the midfield if Hewett misses out, but Voss was tight-lipped on whether the veteran would play a run-with role with a GWS midfielder.

A hand injury suffered in the draw against the Tigers could keep George Hewett out for a second consecutive game. Picture: Michael Willson / Getty Images

Carlton would try to “disrupt” some elements of the Giants’ game plan but were ultimately focused on controlling the way the game looked, Voss said.

“(The Geelong win) is certainly confirmation that our method and our system can stand up against some really good opposition,” he said.

“Our ability to take it on the road and consistently be able to apply and play the way that we want … we feel like that stacks up against any opposition.”

Voss said the Blues were planning to take two specialist ruckmen into the game after Tom De Koning and Marc Pittonet both had an influence in the win over the Cats.

“We’re always trying to balance our profile of our team. We certainly got some good ascendancy around the ground with Pitto and Tom there as well,” he said.

A training session with the main group on Thursday could determine when star midfielder Sam Walsh returns, Michael Voss says. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio / Getty Images

“It’s certainly a model that we’re keen to continue, and they both had an impact on the game, so I see no reason why we wouldn’t continue with that.”

Voss said small forward Jack Martin would be a chance to play in round 4 as he battles a calf complaint, while Sam Walsh’s session with the main group at Thursday training could determine how soon he makes a return.

“If he pulls up really well out the back of this particular session, then we can probably sit down with a bit more clarity and start to pick where his return date lies,” Voss said.

“We’re not going to do anything that puts him at risk, we’ve been pretty patient and so is he. “We want him to play 18 to 20 games for the rest of the year, so we want him in good health.”