Carlton coach Mick Malthouse is expected to return to work this week and take charge of the Blues when they face Collingwood in the second round of the NAB Challenge.
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Malthouse remained in Melbourne late last week to be by the side of wife Nanette as she had investigative surgery on her abdomen on Friday. It's understood the surgery went well and she is recovering.
Carlton coaching director Rob Wiley took charge of the team during its 31-point loss to West Coast at Mandurah.
The Blues expect Malthouse to be back at the club, possibly on reduced hours, this week, with the side not due to play until they take on the Magpies on March 15 in Bendigo.
With the Blues having fielded a largely inexperienced team against the Eagles, the likes of playmakers Chris Judd, Bryce Gibbs and Dale Thomas and key defender Michael Jamison are expected to come under serious consideration for their first major run of the year.
One area in need of work is up forward, where the Blues - without Lachie Henderson and Troy Menzel - struggled for cohesion against the Eagles. Recruit Liam Jones and Matthew Watson were ineffective but Simon White, generally a defender, performed well as the Blues managed only six goals from 30 inside-50s.
Acting skipper Sam Rowe said the Blues had "a bit of work to do as a club".
"I thought we didn't quite execute a few things that we have been training well through the pre-season. We will look to fix it up over the next few games and get it right going into round one," Rowe told the Blues' website.
"We will keep working on our team defence and sharpening up a few things. We will get a few guys back and we should definitely put in a better effort next time."
