With captain Chris Judd ready to return from concussion, Carlton are determined to wipe off another blight from their wretched recent AFL history when they play St Kilda.

The Saints have a seven-year stranglehold over the Blues - they have won their past 10 meetings, including round two this year, with an average winning margin of 54 points.

But Carlton have made significant inroads this season, particularly over the past month, posting three wins out of four matches to be in the finals hunt - along with the Saints - for the first time since 2001.

Carlton and St Kilda will clash on Friday week at Telstra Dome.

On the way, the Blues have cleared some unflattering records - a club record-equalling losing streak of 14 games and a 24-game streak of conceding 100 or more points, a dreadful interstate record since 2002, losing 29 out 31 matches with two straight triumphs on the road, and breaking a seven-year drought in Perth.

The Blues are keen to break their hiatus against the Saints, who have regained their "mojo," according to Carlton assistant Mark Riley.

"It's been donkey's years since we've beaten them," Riley said.

"We're broken all sorts of records this year.

"When you're not very good for a long time you establish these terrible records and we're starting to smash a couple of those.

"Obviously the Carlton v St Kilda is another one we'd like to put behind us."

The Blues' chances of beating St Kilda will lift with Judd fit to return for the high-stakes match.

The club's premier midfielder apparently spent the break receiving some sun in Noosa.

He trained well on Thursday, putting aside any lingering effects of a sickening collision with Essendon captain Matthew Lloyd in round 13.

"He should be right - we've got another week-and-a-bit to go, and he feels good this morning, so obviously the break's done him well," Riley said.

While the Blues have been slow-starters over the last month, Riley said the club was not worried about the trend.

But he was confident the team would not drop their intensity following the split round break, saying they had learnt from what happened after the Hall of Fame tribute game break.

"We're not getting carried away here - we're a work in progress," Riley said.

"The last time we came back after a break, we may have got full of ourselves after a good win in Perth and we got a nice dose of good old-fashion Brisbane Lions - eight goals to one first quarter.

"I think the great thing about our young group is that they really learn and learn quickly and I think we've all learned from that, I don't think we'll be making that sort of mistake again."

Riley added the club was pleased to attack the remaining eight games of the season with a much healthier list.

Andrew Walker (shoulder) and Jordan Bannister (ruptured hamstring) have recovered.

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