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FOLLOWING three shoulder reconstructions, the latest of which was expected to sideline him for the entire season, Carlton's Andrew Walker is set to resume within a fortnight for the Blues' VFL affiliate club.
Carlton general manager of football operations, Steven Icke, said yesterday Walker was expected to resume for the Northern Bullants in the middle of the month, and he was optimistic Walker would make a return to the Blues senior line-up early in August.
"He may have played this weekend, but our VFL team has a bye which is unfortunate timing, so July 19 is the day we expect him to resume," Icke said.
"Athletically, he's up there with the best in the club, but it will be his game conditioning which will be in question.
"You would think he would need a couple of weeks to regain his confidence, especially in marking and physical contact and all of that, which will be his toughest test."
Walker, 23, taken by the Blues with the second priority pick in the 2003 national draft behind Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney, required a shoulder reconstruction immediately after the 2007 season.
Walker again received a significant dislocation in the pre-season last year before playing the last seven games of 2008.
But the same shoulder was dislocated again during this year's pre-season, requiring another operation.
Icke said the midfielder/half-forward could provide Carlton with an X-factor over the last four to six weeks of the season, especially in the absence of the versatile Jarrad Waite because of a knee reconstruction.
In all, Walker has played 81 games from a possible 124 since his debut in 2004, but he showed his worth when he averaged 20 possessions last year despite his long lay-off. Also on the comeback trail is ruckman Robert Warnock, who Carlton exchanged for a second-round national draft selection to a reluctant Fremantle last October.
After two stress fractures in his foot this year, the 206-centimetre Warnock is also close to resuming in the VFL, possibly on the same day as Walker, according to Icke.
Warnock, 22, has not played since round 17 last year for the Dockers as then he required shoulder surgery.
"His is more of a conditioning situation because he hasn't been able to put weight on his foot," Icke said. "How soon he will play his first game for us will depend on how quickly he comes to hand, but we're expecting him to make a run towards the end of the season."
Simon Wiggins, who played eight of the first nine rounds this season, is still being hampered by hamstring soreness and is at least two weeks away from resuming.
Defender Paul Bower has started running again after being sidelined since damaging a knee in round 13, but he will not be considered at senior level for another two to three weeks.
The Blues will have to make at least one change against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, following the one-match suspension handed to Mark Austin for striking.
Nick Stevens may struggle to regain his place after being dropped to the VFL last weekend where he gathered just 23 possessions.
At 29 and with 225 senior games under his belt, Stevens is Carlton's oldest and most experienced player.
But Heath Scotland is believed to be in contention for a recall after 35 touches in the VFL.
First-year tagger Aaron Joseph may struggle to retain his place in the 22 that overhauled Fremantle in Perth last weekend, despite the teenager playing every game so far in his debut season.
Carlton general manager of football operations, Steven Icke, said yesterday Walker was expected to resume for the Northern Bullants in the middle of the month, and he was optimistic Walker would make a return to the Blues senior line-up early in August.
"He may have played this weekend, but our VFL team has a bye which is unfortunate timing, so July 19 is the day we expect him to resume," Icke said.
"Athletically, he's up there with the best in the club, but it will be his game conditioning which will be in question.
"You would think he would need a couple of weeks to regain his confidence, especially in marking and physical contact and all of that, which will be his toughest test."
Walker, 23, taken by the Blues with the second priority pick in the 2003 national draft behind Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney, required a shoulder reconstruction immediately after the 2007 season.
Walker again received a significant dislocation in the pre-season last year before playing the last seven games of 2008.
But the same shoulder was dislocated again during this year's pre-season, requiring another operation.
Icke said the midfielder/half-forward could provide Carlton with an X-factor over the last four to six weeks of the season, especially in the absence of the versatile Jarrad Waite because of a knee reconstruction.
In all, Walker has played 81 games from a possible 124 since his debut in 2004, but he showed his worth when he averaged 20 possessions last year despite his long lay-off. Also on the comeback trail is ruckman Robert Warnock, who Carlton exchanged for a second-round national draft selection to a reluctant Fremantle last October.
After two stress fractures in his foot this year, the 206-centimetre Warnock is also close to resuming in the VFL, possibly on the same day as Walker, according to Icke.
Warnock, 22, has not played since round 17 last year for the Dockers as then he required shoulder surgery.
"His is more of a conditioning situation because he hasn't been able to put weight on his foot," Icke said. "How soon he will play his first game for us will depend on how quickly he comes to hand, but we're expecting him to make a run towards the end of the season."
Simon Wiggins, who played eight of the first nine rounds this season, is still being hampered by hamstring soreness and is at least two weeks away from resuming.
Defender Paul Bower has started running again after being sidelined since damaging a knee in round 13, but he will not be considered at senior level for another two to three weeks.
The Blues will have to make at least one change against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night, following the one-match suspension handed to Mark Austin for striking.
Nick Stevens may struggle to regain his place after being dropped to the VFL last weekend where he gathered just 23 possessions.
At 29 and with 225 senior games under his belt, Stevens is Carlton's oldest and most experienced player.
But Heath Scotland is believed to be in contention for a recall after 35 touches in the VFL.
First-year tagger Aaron Joseph may struggle to retain his place in the 22 that overhauled Fremantle in Perth last weekend, despite the teenager playing every game so far in his debut season.
"Goddess" 
