Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy remains in doubt for the Blues' crucial clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Friday night but Mitch Robinson is set to return.

Robinson (shoulder) and veteran Heath Scotland (hip) completed a full training session at Visy Park on Thursday morning but Murphy trained away from the main group.

Blues coach Mick Malthouse said he was hopeful Murphy would be passed fit to play despite suffering a twinge in his hamstring in the win over St Kilda last week.

Malthouse said the final decision on Murphy's fitness would be made on game day.

The ninth-placed Blues are a game outside the top eight, percentage clear of West Coast and one game ahead of North Melbourne, Adelaide and the Brisbane Lions.

Malthouse expects "a very solid test" from the Kangaroos, who he described as a better side than their ladder position indicates.