STAR recruit Dale Thomas will not make his debut for Carltonon Saturday after pulling out of the Blues' NAB Challenge clash with NorthMelbourne with a chest infection. 

Carlton announced Thomas' withdrawal from the match at NorthBallarat's Eureka Stadium via its official Twitter account on Friday afternoon.

Full match coverage: Carlton v North Melbourne

"Dale Thomas, who missed training this morning, has achest infection and will not play in tomorrow's NAB Challenge game againstNorth," the Blues said. 

"Dennis Armfield will replace him in the squad." 

Thomas, 26, joined Carlton from Collingwood as a restrictedfree agent last October. 

His last season at Collingwood was ruined by a persistentankle injury that restricted him to just five games. 

Thomas had post-season surgery and has spent much of this pre-seasonon a modified training program.