Carlton forward Harry McKay is expected to make his AFL return against West Coast on Saturday, as the winless sides meet at Adelaide Oval in Gather Round.

McKay has not played senior football since round one due to personal reasons but is set to fly to South Australia this week after an appearance in the VFL on the weekend.

While an official decision on McKay has not yet been finalised, the 2021 Coleman Medallist is expected to be named to face the Eagles.

It comes after Carlton coach Michael Voss previously shut down “weekly dialogue” over the 27-year-old’s availability. The 0-4 Blues have already confirmed rookie defender Matt Carroll will make his debut against the Eagles.

Lachie Cowan will come out of the side with a hamstring injury, while Matt Cottrell is set to be available after missing last week’s loss to Collingwood with an ankle issue.

West Coast (0-4) are also set to mull changes following the 81-point loss to Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.

Giants spearhead and Coleman Medallist Jesse Hogan kicked an equal career-best nine goals on debutant Sandy Brock in the absence of injured All-Australian Jeremy McGovern, while defender Harry Edwards was dropped.

Across the first four games of 2025, the Eagles have conceded 31 goals to key forwards - six more than any other team, according to Champion Data.

The inclusion of McKay could spell more trouble for West Coast, who have lost their last four matches against Carlton by an average margin of 77 points.

The last time the two teams met, the Blues - without both McKay and star forward Charlie Curnow - defeated their opponents by 65 points.

Curnow, a two-time Coleman Medallist, has kicked 19 goals from his past two games against West Coast, with hauls of 10 and nine goals, with losing margins of 71 points and 108 points.