Veteran midfielder Nick Stevens has put a 'big case forward' to return to the Carlton line-up for Friday night's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

The 29-year-old, who has been plying his trade in the VFL since being dumped from the senior side after the Round 13 loss to Essendon, is among a host of Blues pushing hard for promotion in the wake of last Friday night's lame effort against Collingwood.

According to senior coach Brett Ratten, key defender Michael Jamison who was a late withdrawal last week and Setanta O'hAilpin who has missed the past three matches with complications stemming from deep bruising in his lower back, are both fit and available.

Then there's Andrew Walker who picked up 38 touches for the Northern Bullants in his second match back from a shoulder reconstruction; Richard Hadley and Mitch Robinson, both of whom have been in consistently good form in the VFL; and Cameron Cloke who's bagged 11 goals for the Bullants in the past two weeks.

But the main focus has been on Stevens who was recently given an ultimatum by the club to improve his focus and fitness, or else.

"I'd say (the odds) would be in his favour to come back this week," said Ratten of Stevens.

"He's gone back and worked fairly hard on his game and tried to get some of that run back which we saw last week - the balance in his game was right up again which is exactly what we were after."

"It's all about what the player has to do to play well at senior level and Nick's worked hard at that."

"Last week he was in the mix, but this week he's put a big case forward to be selected in the team."

The Blues need to make at least two changes to cover the loss through injury of Chris Johnson (hamstring) and Adam Hartlett (hand tendon), but just how many non-compulsory changes they make will depend on balance.

"How many blokes do you bring back that might be underprepared at senior level? That's the debate we have," said Ratten.

"Do we want to take the risk with some players who haven't played senior footy for a while or do we go conservative and then we won't see too many changes - that's what we have to weigh up."

Ratten said the Blues were taking as a compliment North Melbourne veteran Adam Simpson's decision to make Friday night's match the 306th and last of a grand career while being well aware that the opposition will be 'up' for the contest.

"We spoke about it yesterday, that the Kangaroos have got something to play for and we need to ask - what are we playing for?" said Ratten.

"We have to match that and better that as a team."