Carlton hope the appeal of playing against his former AFL club will help Heath Scotland put a tough week behind him ahead of Friday’s clash with Collingwood.

Football was probably the last thing on Scotland’s mind on Wednesday when police charged him over his involvement in a pub brawl.

He must face Corowa Local Court on June 20 after the January brawl at the NSW border town of Mulwala.

Carlton coach Brett Ratten said he had spoken to Scotland and was confident the midfielder would be ready to take on the Magpies.

“It’s a great week for Heath in regards to playing the old team,” Ratten said.

“That’s one that Heath always enjoys, playing against Collingwood, it gets him going.

“We’ve spoken about just focussing on the football and things outside the game will take care of themselves.

“We’ll deal with that – he’s been in good spirits and we’ll deal with that when it comes.”

Scotland played 53 games for Collingwood before being traded to Carlton after the 2003 season.

Ratten said the Blues did not yet know whether the court case would disrupt Scotland’s football.

“We’ve only just found out,” Ratten said on Friday.

“They will take care of themselves down the track, I know it’s in June.

“When we get closer, we’ll work that out.

“If he has to miss training, he has to miss training to go there because that’s the law and he has to face up to that.”