Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer could make his long-awaited return to AFL football against Adelaide on Saturday afternoon.
Kreuzer, 26, last played at AFL level in the opening round of 2014 before being booked in for surgery to repair a fractured right foot.
The No.1 draft pick of 2007 endured another setback in February of this year, with scans revealing a hairline fracture in his right foot following an intra-club match.
The 200cm, 103kg ruckman has now played three VFL games since making his on-field comeback from the injury and is closing in on a senior return.
Kreuzer collected 17 disposals and won 37 hit-outs for the Northern Blues in their loss to Box Hill last weekend before being rested in the final quarter and will come under serious consideration to confront the Crows at the MCG.