Melbourne's injury curse struck again on Thursday with onballer Aaron Davey ruled out for at least two weeks with a knee injury.

Demons' coach Dean Bailey said the 2009 club champion, who had been struggling for form, picked up the injury in last week's loss to St Kilda and would have scans on Friday.

The 10th-placed Demons faced an enormous challenge against fifth-placed Carlton on Friday night at the MCG, with Bailey identifying the Blues' brigade of small forwards as a key focus.

Carlton's stunning midfield, led by Chris Judd and Marc Murphy, would also be a major obstacle for Melbourne.

"They're very effective at the stoppage. They've got first-possession clearance players who are certainly first class," Bailey said on Thursday.

"They're in good form. Our form is up and down.

"It will be a great challenge for us to take a big stride forward tomorrow, not only in the stoppage stuff.

"Their small forwards are seen as leading the competition in forward-50 tackles.

"They're kicking goals, they've got a good spread.

"Their backs are defending particularly well."

Davey joins ruckman Mark Jamar on Melbourne's injury list, while another onballer Jack Trengove is serving a three-game suspension.

However the Demons will at least regain midfielder Tom Scully in the next few weeks. The 2009 No.1 draft pick will resume in the VFL this weekend following a knee injury which has kept him out of football so far this season.

"Aaron's getting some scans from a specialist tomorrow with regards to his knee. He won't play this week and I think he'd be doubtful for next week," Bailey said.

"It just came out of the game on the weekend. He twisted and turned."

Melbourne University Blues product Daniel Nicholson, a 20-year-old midfielder, will make his debut for the Demons.

The Demons also ruled out Clint Bartram (hip) and Luke Tapscott (hamstring) because of injury, recalling Cale Morton and Jamie Bennell.

Carlton recalled Shaun Hampson for ruckman Robbie Warnock (concussion).

Judd will play despite suffering a sprained ankle in last week's two-point loss to Geelong.

Carlton ruck-forward Matthew Kreuzer will play his second consecutive match in the VFL in his return from major knee surgery.

The Blues would pay little attention to Melbourne's loss to St Kilda last week at Etihad Stadium, Carlton assistant coach Mark Riley said.

"The last time I saw them live at the MCG was against the Adelaide Crows (winning by 57 points in round eight)," Riley said.

"They were ultra, ultra impressive, fierce at the contest, tackled hard and played a wonderful counter-attacking brand.

"That's what we'll be planning to play against."

Midfielder Brock McLean has retained his spot despite a modest haul of 12 touches last week in his first game of the season.

McLean, a former Demon who joined the Blues in 2010, will play against his old side for the first time.

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