Geelong star Steve Johnson says he’s ready to play his first AFL match of the season.

Geelong’s medical staff and coach Chris Scott are not so sure, but the mercurial forward will come under serious consideration to line up against Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Johnson has not played in either of the Cats’ season-opening wins because of suspension and minor knee surgery.

But the three-time premiership player trained with teammates at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday, and a decision will be made later this week about whether to throw him back into a winning side.

“He’s very confident he’ll play. Our medical staff think he’s a chance, but there’s more work that needs to be done before we can make a definitive judgment,” Scott said.

“Steve has a bit of input, but the medical staff has more. They’re the ones that need to make that judgment.

“In terms of his preparation through the pre-season to play AFL football, he’s got a lot of work behind him.

“We’re confident that if he’s available and he comes into the team, he’ll be able to perform to a high level.”

In Johnson’s absence, the Cats have cemented their finals credentials with come-from-behind wins over Hawthorn and North Melbourne to open the season.

But Johnson is just one element of the burgeoning depth to soon be at Scott’s disposal.

Cats defender Cameron Guthrie will make his return through the reserves this weekend, as will luckless youngster Daniel Menzel after a third knee reconstruction.

But their ex-Melbourne defender Jared Rivers will not play as he battles a knee problem sustained in the Cats’ season-opener against Hawthorn.

Scott said Rivers could be sidelined for up to a month – stressing he would not be rushed back.

“He had a little bit of a strain to his PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) – the prognosis was two to three weeks,” Scott said.

“We’re banking on three, but if it was four we wouldn’t be surprised.

“He won’t play until he’s absolutely ready to play his best footy.”