CARLTON is on the cusp of recalling a host of key senior players, with the Blues set to welcome back a number of familiar faces from injury through the VFL this weekend.

Jarrod Pickett and Alex Silvagni will play their first senior games for the year, while midfielder Matt Kennedy will also return from an ankle injury for the Northern Blues.

Jarrod Garlett, Kym LeBois, Andrew Phillips and Cillian McDaid have also been recalled for the VFL side's clash with Richmond after spending varying periods on the sidelines.

They add to Levi Casboult's inclusion in the senior team, with the experienced key forward to play his first game in more than a month after breaking a rib against Adelaide.

Silvagni was elevated into the club's leadership group prior to the season, but has missed the entire campaign so far after a series of setbacks to an Achilles injury.

Pickett was set to play an integral role in the side's forward line after impressing throughout pre-season, but suffered a broken wrist on the eve of round one.

Pickett had shown glimpses of his immense potential late last season, having joined the club from Greater Western Sydney, where he was claimed with the fourth pick in the 2014 draft.

The 21-year-old then enjoyed a promising JLT Community Series, with Carlton coach Brendon Bolton suggesting the youngster could play a pivotal role upon his return.

"He's really important," Bolton said of Pickett.

"He had a fantastic JLT Community Series. You could just see his blistering pace, and he's a difficult match-up because he doesn't have to touch it much to hurt you.

"It's his first game back, so we'll just assess and monitor his build in terms of his workload first of all, and then his form. At the appropriate time, we'll bring him in.

"He'll add a different layer to our mix, but he's got to earn that right. It's not just given to him now.

"(But) he's worked incredibly hard with (strength and conditioning coach) Matt Bode and he's in good condition. With the wrist, he could still run pretty quickly."